Madagascar Palm Care: Why Leaves Drop in Winter

Overview

The Madagascar Palm (Pachypodium lamerei) looks like a prehistoric survivor. Despite its common name, it is not a true palm tree; it is a giant, tree-like succulent native to the harsh deserts of Madagascar. It features a massive, silver-grey, barrel-shaped trunk that is heavily armored with terrifying, two-inch-long, razor-sharp thorns. Crowning the top of this imposing trunk is a dense tuft of long, narrow, bright green leaves, giving it the whimsical appearance of a palm tree.

Because the massive trunk acts as a giant water reservoir, it is incredibly drought-tolerant and easy to care for, provided you have a window that receives blasting, direct sunlight. However, it is infamous for causing its owners to panic when winter arrives, as it possesses a biological quirk that catches many people off guard: it is deciduous.

The Winter Leaf Drop Panic

Every November, thousands of new Madagascar Palm owners assume they have killed their plant. As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, the lush green leaves at the top of the plant will slowly turn yellow, dry up, and fall off one by one, leaving a completely bare, thorny stick.

This is perfectly natural. Do not panic, and do not water the plant.

The Madagascar Palm goes fully dormant in the winter. During this dormancy, it requires absolutely zero water. If you water the bare trunk in the winter, the roots will instantly rot. Leave the bare plant in a bright window and ignore it completely. When the days lengthen in the spring, a tiny green tuft will appear at the tip, and within weeks, a brand new canopy of leaves will unfurl. Only resume watering when the new leaves appear.

Light Requirements: Blazing Sun

This is a desert plant that demands the absolute maximum amount of light you can provide indoors. It must be placed directly in front of an unobstructed, south-facing or west-facing window where it will receive several hours of blazing, direct sunlight.

If you place it in a dark corner, the plant will suffer from severe etiolation. The thick, barrel-shaped trunk will suddenly grow thin, weak, and stretched out at the top as it desperately reaches for the sun. This weak growth cannot support the weight of the plant, and it will eventually snap.

Watering: The Desert Drought

Overwatering is the only way to kill a Madagascar Palm during the summer growing season. The massive trunk stores months' worth of water.

You must allow the potting soil to dry out 100% completely—all the way to the bottom of the pot—before you water. Stick a wooden skewer deep into the soil; if it comes out even slightly damp, wait another week. When the soil is bone dry, soak the pot thoroughly until water pours out the drainage holes. Never let the pot sit in a saucer of standing water. If the thick trunk becomes soft, wrinkled, and mushy at the base, you have drowned the plant and it is rotting from the inside out.

Soil and Potting

Standard indoor potting soil will kill this plant by holding water for too long. You must use an extremely fast-draining cactus and succulent mix. Combine standard cactus soil with 50% perlite or pumice. Furthermore, the roots prefer to be slightly cramped, so do not repot it into a massive container. Always use a heavy terracotta pot, as the plant becomes extremely top-heavy and will easily tip over in a light plastic pot.

Toxicity and Physical Danger

The Madagascar Palm belongs to the Apocynaceae family (which includes the Oleander). If the trunk is punctured, it bleeds a toxic sap that is highly poisonous to cats, dogs, and humans if ingested. More critically, the massive thorns covering the trunk are rigid and razor-sharp. Keep this plant far out of reach of curious children and pets to prevent severe eye or skin injuries.