Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 10-11 where it should be grown in desert-type conditions in full sun or in greenhouses with night temperatures that do not dip below 55 degrees F. Intolerant of frost. Grows well in dry soils. It may also be grown as a houseplant in warm, humid, sunny locations. Houseplants may drop leaves in winter.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pachypodium rutenbergianum is native to Madagascar. It is a small, caudiciform, succulent tree (to 1.5' wide at the base of the trunk) that rises to 15' tall (less frequently to 25-30' tall). Branches are clothed with oblong-lanceolate leaves (to 3-5" long) with spines (to 1/2" long). Flowers are white with yellow centers.
Genus name comes from the Greek pachys meaning thick and podos meaning foot for the thickened roots and stems.
Problems
Mealybugs, scale, and spider mites can be problematic, particularly on indoor plants.
Uses
Summer annual. Container. Houseplant. Greenhouse plant.