Pachypodium is the botanical name of the Madagascar palm, which belongs to the thick-footed family. Two types of succulents are cultivated indoors, namely Pachypodium bispinosum and Pachypodium saundersii. What do you need to consider when caring for Pachypodium?
How do I care for Pachypodium properly?
When caring for Pachypodium, you should water regularly in summer, avoid waterlogging, water sparingly in winter, fertilize once a month, repot rarely and control pests such as spider mites. Also pay attention to a bright location and temperatures above 13 degrees Celsius.
How do you water Pachypodium correctly?
You need to water Pachypodium abundantly in summer so that the thickened trunk (caudex) does not collapse. However, you must definitely avoid waterlogging. Therefore, pour off any excess water from the saucer straight away.
As soon as the Madagascar palm has shed its leaves, it goes into rest. Now you can only water the succulent very sparingly. The substrate should not dry out completely.
When do you need to fertilize Pachypodium?
Like all succulents, Pachypodium needs very few nutrients. It is enough if you supply the plant with a little liquid fertilizer (€6.00 on Amazon) once a month from May to September. When doing so, reduce the quantity stated on the packaging.
Are you allowed to cut Pachypodium?
Basically, you don't have to cut a Madagascar palm at all. However, you can easily cut the plant back if it has become too large. A rejuvenation cut is also appropriate from time to time. The best time to prune is at the end of the dormant season in February or March.
When and how do you repot the Madagascar palm?
You should not repot the succulents too often. Madagascar palms do not tolerate it well if they are moved or rotated too often.
A new pot is due every two to three years. Pachypodium is repotted at the end of the rest period.
What diseases and pests should you watch out for?
If there is too much moisture in the root area, there is a risk that the plant will rot.
Spider mites appear more often, especially in winter when the humidity is very low. Prevent this by placing bowls of water near plants.
How to care for Pachypodium in winter?
The Madagascar palm cannot tolerate frost. The plant should never be cooler than 13 degrees. Provide a bright, airy location in winter.
Tip
Pachypodium belongs to the dogpoison family and is poisonous in all parts of the plant. The thorns, which are up to two centimeters long, also pose a danger. Make sure you have a safe location if there are children and pets in the family.