Madagascar Palm

Pachypodium lamerei

Light Requirement: Full sun to bright light. It performs best in sunny, warm locations with excellent drainage.

Height: Typically 6–15 ft. tall in Florida landscapes, though it may stay smaller for many years because it grows slowly.

Growth Habit: Slow-growing, upright succulent with a thick, spiny trunk and a crown of long green leaves at the top. Despite the name, it is not a true palm.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 10–11; cold sensitive and can be damaged by frost or freezing temperatures; highly drought tolerant once established; low to moderate salt tolerance, best used away from direct coastal salt spray.

Maintenance Info: Low maintenance when planted in the right location. It needs very well-drained soil and should not be overwatered. Avoid planting where people may brush against it because the trunk is covered in sharp spines. Protect from cold snaps, especially when young.

Best Uses in the Landscape: Excellent as a specimen plant, modern landscape accent, rock garden feature, cactus/succulent garden plant, container plant, or focal point in a dry sunny bed. It works especially well in designs where a bold architectural shape is desired.

Plant Info: Madagascar Palm is native to Madagascar and is known for its unusual tropical-desert appearance. Although it looks palm-like, it is actually a succulent related to desert plants. Mature plants may produce fragrant white flowers near the top of the trunk, usually in warm weather. Its thick trunk stores water, which helps it survive dry conditions and makes it a strong choice for low-water landscape areas.