The succulent Pachypodium rosulatum is commonly known as the Elephant foot tree or the Cactus Pachypodium. This exotic species grows to a height of 5 feet in its natural habitat. Still, in the garden, it is a shrubby caudiciform characterized by a bottle-shaped swollen spineless trunk. This brownish-silver plant has several arms marked by thorns. The Elephant foot leaves grow in a rosette formation, dark-green and elliptical in shape. Native to Madagascar & South Africa, it belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Between Spring and summer, the plant bears unique yellow-colored flowers. It requires full to partial sun for the best growth. It can tolerate sub-zero temperatures, but it is always safer to get it inside during winters as it is not frost-hardy. The winter-dormant Elephant foot plant has a moderate growth rate.
Growth Rate
This attractive plant has a moderate growth rate.
Flowering
Between Spring and summer, the Elephant's foot plant bears yellow-colored flowers.
Watering and Feeding
Offer infrequent watering to the plant during the growing season and stop watering from late Fall to early Spring.
Soil
One important Elephant's foot plant care tip is that it requires well-drained soil for staying healthy.
Hardiness
The hardiness zone for this succulent is 10a to 11b. It is not frost-hardy; hence, get it indoors during winter.
Light
This species requires full to partial sun to grow happily.
Propagation
The best way of propagation is through seeds. You can use stem cuttings for propagation as well.
There are a few places on the Earth where it is believed that the Elephant's foot is a medicinal plant. However, please consult with an expert before using it accordingly. You can buy the Pachypodium rosulatum for sale from Planet Desert.
Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz
| Blooming Season | Spring |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Elephant's Foot Plant |
| Dormancy | Summer |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Flower | Red |
| Frost Tolerance | 22 f |
| Growth Rate | Fast growth |
| Hardiness Zone | 6a |
| Height | 25-30 cm |
| Origin | Madagascar. |
| Scientific Name | Pachypodium rosulatum |
| Shape | Rosette-forming |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun |
- Reviews
- Questions
Great little starter plant in perfect heal...
Great little starter plant in perfect health and leaf. Very sturdy trunk and plump, thanks to the sellers' care. I hope I can keep it up as it appears to be a very interesting species.
United StatesTiny, shriveled.
Plant was way too small for 4” pot. Would have been small for a 2” pot. Not only that, it was shriveled, like it hadn’t been watered for a long time, not just from shipping.
