Pachypodium lamerei - Madagascar palm

The Pachypodium lamerei, commonly known as the Madagascar palm, is an astonishing succulent plant with a palm-like appearance cultivated indoors. Its massive, silvery trunk adorned with fine thorns supports a cluster of long green leaves. Stunning in contemporary or ethnic-style interiors, it makes for a both curious and graphic feature in any room. Place it in a very bright spot and ensure its substrate is well-drained to avoid excess moisture.

The Madagascar palm belongs to the Apocynaceae family, a distant relative of periwinkles and Dipladenia or Mandevilla. Native to the dry forests and rocky areas of Madagascar, this shrubby succulent plant features a thick, silvery trunk covered in sharp thorns, capable of reaching up to 6 m in height in its natural habitat but typically between 1.2 and 1.8 m when grown indoors. It does not grow a true woody trunk like that of classic trees; instead, this trunk is in reality a succulent stem specialised in water storage, allowing the plant to survive in arid environments. A crown of long, lanceolate leaves clustered at the top of the 'trunk' gives the plant its palm-like appearance. Measuring up to 30 cm in length, these leaves are narrow and glossy. The growth of the Pachypodium lamerei is relatively slow indoors where flowering is rare, taking the form of fragrant white to cream five-petalled flowers often appearing in summer on mature specimens around ten years old. The plant may produce shoots though this is relatively uncommon. These shoots or side shoots typically appear at the base of the plant or along its thorny trunk. Warning - It is important to note that the sap of Pachypodium lamerei is toxic and may cause skin irritation upon contact; therefore, handle the plant with care, especially around children or pets.

The Madagascar palm cannot tolerate temperatures below 10°C. It can however be placed outdoors during the warmer months, gradually acclimating it to sunlight to prevent scorching, then brought back indoors before cooler temperatures set in.

With its sculptural silhouette, the Pachypodium lamerei makes a striking addition to a bright living room, a sun-drenched conservatory, or even a modern office. Pair it with an Adenium obesum (Desert Rose) or cactus like the Mammillaria hahniana which thrive in similar conditions.