Pachypodium baronii

Pachypodium baronii is an intriguing species of succulent that hails from the island of Madagascar. This plant is known for its robust, globose to bottle-shaped trunk or caudex, which can grow up to 2 meters or more in height (source: Rare Plant).

In its native habitat, it grows in open deciduous forests on Mesozoic calcareous rock and granite or gneiss on the western side of the island (source: Wikipedia). Yet, despite its exotic origins, it’s known for being relatively hardy, and can thrive in a variety of conditions (source: Hojny Succulents).

One of the unique features of Pachypodium baronii is its red flowers, which are said to stand out in the Pachypodium genus. These flowers are not just red, but spectacularly so, with a white eye in the center that lasts for several days (source: LLIFLE).

In terms of care, it needs well-drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The stem itself can grow up to 40 centimeters in diameter (source: Bihrmann). It’s recommended to water it sparingly in the heat of the growing season to encourage new growth, foliage, and flowering, and to give it extra well-drained soil to avoid waterlogged conditions, with no water from late autumn to mid-spring (