How to get your hands on the Pachypodium Inopinatum

The Pachypodium Inopinatum , also known as Madagascar Palm, Bush Pachypodium or Elephant’s Foot Palm, has long been one of the most sought-after plants on the planet, but due to its extreme rarity and slow growth, it was only available to botanical gardens or private collectors with deep pockets. Luckily, there are now ways you can get your hands on this beautiful plant at reasonable prices from reputable retailers like The Sill . Here’s how to do it!

Types of Pachypodium
The three most common types of pachypodium are P. brevicaule, which has smaller leaves and is a great houseplant, P. lamaquei, which grows up to 10 feet tall and thrives in outside conditions and P. rosulatum, which is between 5-7 feet tall and produces small flowers that are pink in color. These plants are also known as elephant’s foot or bottle tree due to their succulent nature.

Growing location
Sunlight and lots of it. When you purchase a succulent, such as pachypodium inopinatum, it’s often a good idea to keep it indoors until you’re certain that it will flourish in its new environment. When growing these plants outdoors, make sure they have plenty of sunshine and soil that has enough room for their roots to grow in addition to being planted in soil with little competition from other plants nearby.

Growing in a container
The Pachypodium Inopinatum can be a fun plant to grow in a container, but you’ll want to keep it watered and fertilized. Avoid over-watering or under-watering because either will stunt growth. Over time, water and fertilizer will build up in your soil. Instead of wasting that extra goodness with overwatering, simply add some fresh soil each year before repotting.

Light requirements
The Pachypodium inopinatum requires little light when it’s young. As it grows, keep in mind that exposure to bright light is required for healthy growth. The more light a plant receives, generally speaking, the healthier and more vibrant it will be. The pachypodium inopinatum is no exception to this rule; however, keep in mind that too much sun can kill a plant so try not to keep it directly under a window.

Watering frequency
You must water pachypodiums regularly, but it’s important not to overwater them. The plants like soil that’s moist (but not soggy) and prefers being watered only when dry. Overwatering a pachypodium could lead to root rot, so pay attention to how quickly the soil dries out after watering. The best way is simply feel with your fingers.

Cultivation Temperature
This pachypodium is a tropical plant and should be kept at temperatures above 60°F (16°C). The optimal temperature for growth is around 70-75°F (21-24°C).

Compost, substrate and fertilizing
Your chances of growing succulent specimens depends largely on what you do before they are planted. Succulents don’t like too much water, so soil that drains well is ideal. There are many kinds of specialized succulent soils, or you can simply use cactus and succulent potting mix.

Soil types and pH levels
These plants like well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients. It should have a sandy texture and be slightly acidic (pH level between 5.8 and 6.5). The soil should also have plenty of space for aeration, as pachypodiums do not do well with waterlogged soils.