About Pachypodium lamerei Drake
Pachypodium lamerei Drake has a tall, silvery-gray trunk covered with sharp 6.25 cm spines. Long, narrow leaves only grow at the top of its trunk, giving it a growth habit similar to a palm tree. This species rarely branches. Outdoors-grown specimens can reach up to 6 meters (20 feet) tall, while indoor-grown plants grow slowly, only reaching between 1.2 and 1.8 meters (3.9 to 5.9 feet) tall. Outdoors-grown plants produce large, white, fragrant flowers at the top of the plant, but they almost never flower when grown indoors. For cultivation, Pachypodium lamerei grows best in warm climates and full sun. It cannot tolerate hard frosts, and exposure to even a light frost will likely cause it to drop most of its leaves. It is an easy houseplant to grow when given the full sunlight it requires. Plant it in a fast-draining potting mix, such as a cactus-specific mix, in a container with drainage holes to prevent root rot. This plant has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
