Pachypodium lamerei
Smooth leaf pachypodium, Madagascar bottle tree, Clubfoot
- Height × spread
- 6m × 1.8m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 15C & above (RHS H1a)
- Flowers
- Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
In optimum conditions you could be growing a tree! In Madagascar this makes a silvery trunked column with a jolly hat of leaves. If grown in a flowerpot it is more manageable. This has a swollen stem covered in silvered spines. It puts out small, very spiny branches and a head of oblong bright green leaves while in its growth season. It may produce snowy white, rounded flowers. Difficult to grow well but wonderful to see!
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 6m
- Spread
- 1.8m
- Height in 10 years
- 3m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.9m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 15C & above (RHS H1a)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 15C minimum temperature
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, stems are prickly/thorny
Spring
Spring · Indoors
Feed with low nitrogen feed
Occasionally while the plant is in growth, apply a specialist cactus feed that is low in nitrogen.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water to keep the soil moist
Water moderately from the period when growth starts (around April) until the early autumn (September).
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Don't water while dormant
Keep the compost or the plant tuber, rhizome or bulb completely dry when the plant is dormant.
The plant requires a rest period in order to thrive. Watering at this time may prevent dormancy, or may induce rot or disease.
Spring · Outdoors
Feed with low nitrogen feed
Occasionally while the plant is in growth, apply a specialist cactus feed that is low in nitrogen.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
In drought conditions where established plants in the ground have had no water for a month, do a deep watering. If drought continues repeat after a fortnight. Plants only need watering during spring to autumn growth. Check plants in pots more often.
Established plants have a good degree of drought tolerance. Water after a prolonged period of drought. Many drought tolerant plants can rapidly revive, even when much of the foliage has died. They will respond with new growth.
Planting & general
Indoor temperature · Planting
15C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 15 Centigrade.
Compost · Planting
Cactus compost for repotting
Use standard cactus compost. Top the soil with grit or granite chips to ensure perfect drainage around plant stem. Repot when the plant is dry and delay watering for 3 days after repotting.
You can also make own compost using 3 parts John Innes no. 2, 1 part horticultural grit, and 1 part horticultural grade perlite or pumice. There are many 'recipes' available and opinions vary widely - consult specialist literature or websites.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, eg windowsill
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible. It is suitable for sunny windowsills as it can cope with high day temperatures and lower night temperatures.