The Madagascar palm, which is originally native to the subtropical regions of Africa, can reach a size of up to eight meters outdoors. But the plant can also be kept as a houseplant and then grows to a maximum of one meter. Robust and resilient, the plant requires little maintenance. But be careful: the Madagascar palm is poisonous.
Table of Contents
Correct location, favorable soil conditions
The Madagascar palm prefers a bright place in the full sun that is as warm as possible. Basically, however, the following must be observed: the warmer the plant is, the more light it needs to be provided. However, areas in penumbra are also tolerated. During the summer months, the Madagascar palm should best be placed outdoors, for example on the balcony or in the garden. During this time the plant thrives particularly well at temperatures between 20 and 24 ° C. However, the plant may only be taken outside at a point in time when no further frosts are to be expected. Even in winter, care must be taken that temperatures do not fall below 18 ° C. During this time, it is best to place the plant in a place near the heater; the dry and warm heating air is tolerated without any problems. A window seat is ideal, so that the Madagascar palm can enjoy the full sun.
The substrate that is used when cultivating the crop should have certain properties:
- permeable
- rich in nutrients
- pH of 7
In principle, different mixtures can be used. A loosened mixture of potting soil and sand is just as suitable as loamy soil, which is mixed with cactus soil in a ratio of 1: 1. But pure cactus soil can also be used. Furthermore, ready-made substrates are used, which are mixed with loamy earth and sand.
Watering, fertilizing, repotting – optimal care
The Madagascar palm is one of the succulents that are generally known for their low water requirement. However, the plant has a rather untypical water consumption for this type of plant. When the water supply is increased, the plant grows much faster overall and also forms more leaves. However, waterlogging must not occur during irrigation; the standing water often leads to the development of various diseases, for example root rot. Even if the Madagascar palm generally shows an improved growth, if sufficient irrigation is taken into account, the plant can withstand long periods of drought without any problems. During the winter months, the crop should be kept almost completely dry anyway. However, this dry period does not always depend on the seasons; this phase is best recognized by observing the plant closely. As soon as the Madagascar palm starts shedding leaves, the time of the dry season has come. The plant is then supplied with an amount of water that only allows a small amount of moisture to remain in the root ball. The end of this dry phase has come when more shoots develop again; then a little more can be poured again. The end of this dry phase has come when more shoots develop again; then a little more can be poured again. The end of this dry phase has come when more shoots develop again; then a little more can be poured again.
In addition to optimal irrigation, targeted fertilization also plays an important role in the care of Madagascar palms. The additional administration of nutrients is best suited in the months of May to August. During this time you can fertilize sparingly and with a low concentration; Cactus fertilizers or complete fertilizers are particularly suitable. The nutrients are added once a month. However, fertilization should be done rather cautiously, especially with large specimens.
The optimal care of the Madagascar palm also includes repotting, in which the following aspects are taken into account:
- Time to repot: spring
- Regularity: every two years
- Pay attention to good drainage when potting
The new pot should have drainage holes that should be covered with expanded clay and pottery shards to prevent clogging.
A maintenance cut is usually not necessary for the Madagascar palm.
Hibernate properly
The Madagascar palm spends the winter months best indoors. Conditions are best in a heated place near the heater by the window. The watering takes place only in sips. Correct pouring behavior is particularly important during the cold season; if wet substrate forms, the roots can quickly rot. Under the influence of the low temperatures, the risk of root rot is particularly high in winter.
Propagation and sowing
The reproduction of the Madagascar palm takes place mainly via separated side shoots, which are then rooted. The cutting of shoots may only take place in healthy and vigorous mother plants. Use a sharp knife to remove the necessary parts of the plant below the knot. Then it is best to dry the interfaces for eight to twelve hours. Then the lower leaves of the cutting are removed. The shoots can also be treated with a special rooting agent for improved rooting before being put into the ground. Then you put the shoots in pots or bowls that are filled with special potting soil. The originally basal parts of the shoot point downwards. After plugging in, at least one eye should look out of the earth. For an improved rooting process, the highest possible humidity is ideal in the subsequent period. To achieve these conditions, the cuttings can be covered with a plastic hood, for example. The foil is then tied around the pot with a string or ribbon. This measure protects the plant from evaporation. When roots and new leaves have formed, the Madagascar palm can be repotted or planted out.
Pests and diseases
The Madagascar palm is mainly attacked by lice, for example the scale insect. The female specimens suckle on the leaves of the plant with the help of their proboscis. A distinction is made between the lid scale insects, which form lid-shaped shields, and cup-shaped variants, the shields of which take the shape of a bowl. Based on the characteristic symptoms, the infestation of scale insects in the Madagascar palm is easy to recognize:
- Shields on the leaves, depending on the species, lid or bowl-shaped and pustule-like
- Shields stand close together within crusty coverings
- sticky excretions of honeydew
- Crippling of individual parts of the plant
- Stunted growth
Various options are available to prevent an infestation with scale insects; On the one hand, the natural enemies of the pests can be promoted, especially in the field. These include, above all, ladybugs, parasitic wasps and earwigs. However, if there is an acute infestation, additional measures must be taken. Affected shoots and leaves can be freed from the pests with a small brush, for example a toothbrush. If the bark is also affected by severe infestation, it is best to work with a wire brush. In addition, various sprayings with oil help. Such preparations are usually made from paraffin oil or from rapeseed oil. By applying it to the affected parts of the plant, a film forms over the pests; this causes the lice to suffocate.
Overall, however, the pest infestation plays a subordinate role in the Madagascar palm. Much more often, the plant suffers from diseases that are mainly caused by incorrect care. Incorrect watering often leads to the development of symptoms of the disease; If the plant receives too much water in a single portion, the soil will be too moisturized. This often results in waterlogging. In combination with cold stimuli, considerable problems can arise, particularly during the winter months. For example, if the pot is on a cold floor, root rot is easy to develop if the substrate is wet. The leaves turn a smeary black color with this disease. In addition, the leaves can fall out from below. If the Madagascar palm is affected by root rot, it has been proven stop watering completely for a few weeks. Then you should pour again lightly, but always make sure that only a slight residual moisture remains in the ball. In addition, a change of location should be considered, which also provides the plant with the necessary ground warmth. In addition to over-watering, however, problems can also arise when it is completely dry; In this case, too, the plant reacts by shedding the leaves. In addition to over-watering, however, problems can also arise when it is completely dry; In this case, too, the plant reacts by shedding the leaves. In addition to over-watering, however, problems can also arise when it is completely dry; In this case, too, the plant reacts by shedding the leaves.
Toxicity of the palm
The Madagascar palm, which is also known as the “star of the steppe”, belongs to the family of poisonous dogs and contains toxins. A high content of cardenolides is suspected in the individual parts of the plant; this is a heart poison. The trunk and leaves of the Madagascar palm in particular contain the poisonous milky sap, which is harmful not only to humans but also to animals. Birds poison themselves from the plant in the same way as dogs or cats. For this reason, gardening enthusiasts who keep pets should refrain from cultivating Madagascar palms as completely as possible. The plant is also not suitable for families with small children. In the event of poisoning, the symptoms that arise are very similar to the toxic effects of swallowweed. After consuming the plant parts, symptoms mainly arise in the gastrointestinal area, for example diarrhea. In addition, irritation of the bladder and kidneys is to be expected. Severe symptoms of intoxication ultimately manifest themselves in a high fever and respiratory paralysis.
In addition, gloves should always be worn when caring for the Madagascar tree, for example when repotting; the trunk harbors sharp thorns that can easily lead to injuries.
Medicinal Uses
Since the Madagascar palm has considerable poisonous potential, it is not known to be widely used in medicine or folk medicine. However, the pulp of the plant is mainly used to make certain cosmetics, especially for face care. These preparations are mainly used in some areas of Madagascar.
Conclusion
The Madagascar palm is very easy to care for and is therefore suitable for every hobby gardener – regardless of the wealth of experience that the gardener brings with him. Optimally cared for and well-dosed watered, the plant beautifies the garden during the summer months and provides an exotic note in the winter living room. An ideal houseplant – but due to its toxicity it must be kept away from pets as well as small children.
