For lush tropical vibes with a desert twist, the Madagascar palm tree (Pachypodium lamerei) is the perfect addition to your space — truly, it's one of the most eye-catching plants you can have. It features a thick silver stem covered in sharp spines and long, leathery green leaves that grow at its crown. Despite it's name and appearance, this lovely indoor tree isn't a true palm tree at all! It's actually a succulent native to Madagascar.
Luckily, being a succulent makes it fairly easy to grow. If you want to bring this hardy plant into your house, here's everything you need to know about Madagascar palm care.
How fast does a Madagascar palm grow?
The Madagascar palm's growth rate is relatively slow. In its native environment, your average Madagascar palm can grow up to 20 feet tall in maturity, but it'll take a while to get there. As a landscape plant, it typically only grows up to 10 feet tall. As an indoor plant, it's usually even smaller.
With excellent care, you can expect anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of growth every year. In addition to growing in height, your standard Madagascar palm will also develop a thicker trunk over time.
Generally, it's best to start with an established plant outside. Growing from seed is possible, but you'll need to be very patient, as it can take a seedling up to six months to even sprout. We'll talk more about propagation ahead.
Madagascar palm care basics
The Madagascar palm doesn’t require a lot of extensive care. Here's what you need to know about its light, water, soil, temperature, and fertilizer needs, as well as what to do if you notice its leaves turning black.
Step 1: Like most succulents, this plant appreciates full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade outdoors as well. If you plan to keep your Madagascar palm indoors, make sure that it's receiving enough sunlight by placing it right next to a south- or west-facing window. Rotate your plant so that it receives sunlight evenly; otherwise, the plant may grow crooked as it reaches for sunlight on one side.
Step 2: The Madagascar palm prefers to stay dry, so keep it in a well-draining cactus potting mix inside of a pot with a drainage hole. Water your plant when the soil dries out completely and cut back on watering after the growing season ends.
Step 3: Make sure to place your Madagascar palm tree in an area with a temperature above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, as it does not tolerate frost. If you live in a cold region, bring your plant indoors if the outside temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 4: At the beginning of spring and summer, feed your palm tree diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer to encourage growth.
Step 5: Troubleshoot foliage problems as needed. There are a lot of reasons for why the plant's leaves might turn black; it might be getting too much or too little water, or too much or too little light. Black leaves might even just be a healthy sign of the plant settling into a new environment.
Losing leaves is a regular part of the plant's lifespan, so don't fret about a few black or dropped leaves here and there. If the problem seems excessive, dial back on the care: stop fertilizing, let the soil dry out between watering, and ensure that the plant is getting the light it needs.
How to repot a Madagascar palm
The Madagascar palm tree is a top-heavy plant with a thick stem and relatively small roots. While it’s a slow grower, it can topple over when it gets too big, so repot it approximately every three years or whenever it outgrows its current container.
Important note: When it's time to move your Madagascar palm to a new pot, be careful when handling the plant's sharp spines. When it’s scraped or cut, the plant will release a toxic white sap that irritates the skin.
Step 1: When picking out a new home for your plant, consider a clay pot, which not only absorbs excess water but also balances a heavy plant better than a plastic planter.
Step 2: Fill the pot with cactus soil. If you're making your own potting mix, you can add perlite or sand for extra drainage if needed.
Step 3: If your plant is small enough, wrap cardstock or newspapers around it and pull it upward by the paper edges. Alternatively, use thick gloves for more control over the plant.
Step 4: While still being cautious around the spines, place the plant into the pot.
How to propagate a Madagascar palm
There are two main ways to propagate a Madagascar palm tree: via plannting seeds or taking a shoot from the mother plant.
Step 1: The seed method is more difficult and time-consuming than propagation from an existing palm, but it's still doable. First, collect the cucumber-like seed pods from the upper branches of a mature plant and let the pods dry out for anywhere between a week to a month.
Step 2: Then, cut open the dried seed pods and collect the seeds.
Step 3: Soak the seeds in non-chlorinated water for roughly a day and then plant them in cactus soil. Don't worry if it seems like nothing happens for a while; it may take several months for a sprout to appear.
Step 4: The easiest way to propagate a Madagascar palm tree is to cut a shoot from a mother plant. Use a sterilized knife or pruning shears, and be sure to proceed with caution — our warning about the spines and sap still stands!
Step 5: Let the cutting callus over for anywhere between four to eight days.
Step 6: Place the cutting into cactus soil and wait for new roots to form. Again, be prepared to wait as long as a few months for a new sprout to show up.
How to encourage your Madagascar palm to bloom
Madagascar palms may produce showy blooms in the summer if you keep them outside. Indoor plants may bloom, but you might have to wait years, if not decades, for them to flower inside. If you're keen on getting yours to bloom, here are some steps to consider.
Step 1: Fertilize your Madagascar palm at least once during the growing season, using a diluted houseplant or cactus fertilizer.
Step 2: Cut damaged or diseased branches to refocus your plant's energy towards flowering.
Step 3: Make sure to maintain your Madagascar palm's overall health. A healthy plant that's getting its needs met will have a better chance at flowering.
Are Madagascar palm plants safe to grow?
Yes and no. Madagascar palm plants can be grown safely, as long you take proper precautions when handling them. Wearing gloves, washing your hands after tending to it, and being gentle when moving or repotting your Madagascar palm will substantially lower your risk of coming into contact with its toxic sap and spines.
The more significant risk when it comes to these plants is if you have children or pets. Curious kids might touch or play with the Madagascar palm plant, which can lead to them being hurt by the spines or touching the sap. The irritation caused by the sap is uncomfortable, but the more serious risk is if the child gets the sap in their eyes or mouth. Pets are also at risk, and cats in particular are known to get into places they shouldn't be. Moving your plant out of reach may not be enough.
At the end of the day, treat your Madagascar palm like you would a typical cactus plant. Give it the opportunity to thrive with bright light and treat its spines with caution. With plenty of sunlight and occasional watering, you’ll have a flourishing Madagascar palm for years to come.
