Pachypodium horombense
TAXONOMY
FamilyApocynaceae
GenusPachypodium
Zone10
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Pachypodium horombense is a caudiciform (swollen-base) shrub in the Apocynaceae, native to Madagascar and adapted to very dry, sunny habitats. It grows a thickened caudex for water storage and produces showy yellow, star-shaped flowers in season. Like many Pachypodiums, its growth is strongly seasonal: it grows actively in warm, bright months and commonly slows down or drops leaves during a cool/dry rest period; the length and timing of this rest can vary with temperature, light, and watering.
ALSO KNOWN AS
Clubfoot Plant
Horombe Clubfoot
Horombense pachypodium
Horombe pachypodium
Madagascar pachypodium
Pachypodium rosulatum var. horombense
Yellow bell pachypodium
OVERVIEW
VPDCalculate
WaterDry
SoilSandy
LightDirect Bright (10 Hours)
Temperature24° C
Humidity35%
Dormancy4 Months
pH6.5
Pressure1,013 mbar
DETAILS
Care Instructions
Give it very bright light with some direct sun, and keep it warm with good airflow. Water thoroughly but infrequently, letting the mix dry almost completely before watering again; reduce watering sharply during the cooler/low-light rest period to avoid rot. Average home humidity is fine, and it does best with a clear warm season (active growth) and a drier rest.Soil
Use a very fast-draining, gritty cactus/succulent mix with a high mineral content (coarse sand, pumice/perlite, and small gravel) and only a small amount of organic material. A pot with a drainage hole is essential; this plant is prone to rot if kept wet or in heavy soil.Fertilizer
Feed lightly during active growth only, using a diluted cactus/succulent fertilizer. A lower-nitrogen, higher phosphorus/potassium formula is typically used to avoid overly soft growth; do not fertilize during the rest period.Repotting
Repot sparingly (only when rootbound or the mix has broken down), ideally at the start of active growth. Handle carefully due to spines and the sensitive roots/caudex; use a dry, fresh gritty mix and wait a short period after repotting before resuming watering to let any root damage callus.Propagation
Propagation is most commonly by seed. Seed germinates best with warmth and bright light in a well-drained, lightly moist medium; avoid keeping the substrate soggy. Vegetative propagation is generally less reliable for this type of Pachypodium and can risk rot.Pruning
Pruning is generally not required. Remove only dead leaves or damaged parts, and avoid cutting into the caudex unless necessary, as wounds can invite rot.Toxicity
Like other Apocynaceae, Pachypodium contains milky latex sap that can be irritating and is considered toxic if ingested. Keep it away from pets and children, avoid contact with eyes/mouth, and wear gloves when handling or if the plant is cut.Additional
In winter or during low light, it may naturally yellow or drop leaves; this is often normal for a seasonal rest. The most common cause of failure is overwatering in cool conditions—when in doubt, keep it drier.REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR PLANT CARE
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