Life Span
Perennial
  
Biennial or Perennial
  
Type
Cactus or Succulent, Ornamental Plants, Perennial
  
Vegetable
  
Origin
Madagascar
  
Europe
  
Types
P. ambongense P. baronii P. bicolor P. bispinosum P. brevicaule P. cactipes P. decaryi P. densiflorum P. eburneum P. geayi P. gracilius
  
Leaf beet, Seakettle beet, Spinach beet
  
Number of Varieties
Not Available
  
Habitat
Rocky areas, Tropical areas
  
Cultivated Beds
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-12
  
4-8
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
  
12-1
  
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Upright/Erect
  
Clump-Forming
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
White
  
Red, Green
  
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Gray Green, Tan
  
Tan
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Dark Green
  
Dark Green, Green, Orange, Red, White, Yellow
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
  
White, Yellow, Red, Green, Orange, Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
  
White, Yellow, Red, Green, Orange, Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Long Narrow
  
Heart-shaped
  
Thorns
Yes
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun
  
Full Sun
  
Growth Rate
Medium
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
  
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
No
  
Tolerances
Drought
  
Drought
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Cutting
  
Seedlings
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Reduce watering in winter
  
Average Water Needs
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Loam, Moist, Sand, Well drained
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
  
Full Sun
  
Pruning
Prune in winter, Prune to stimulate growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, fertilize in early summer
  
Apply 10-10-10 amount
  
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Dry root rot
  
Cercospora leaf spot, Damping off, Darkling beetles, Downy mildew
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Insignificant
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Not Available
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Not Available
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
Yes
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Bold
  
Coarse
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Not Available
  
Insects
  
Allergy
poisonous if ingested, Toxic
  
dark circles, Diarrhea, Runny nose, Vomiting, wheezing
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
along a porch, deck or patio, Beautification, Borders, Showy Purposes
  
Ground Cover
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Moisturizing, Remove blemishes, Slow downs aging, Speed hair growth
  
Edible Uses
Not Available
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Not Available
  
Antitumor, Carminative, Haemostatic, Stomachic, Tonic
  
Part of Plant Used
Not Applicable
  
Leaves, Root
  
Other Uses
Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes
  
Cultivated for fodder, Eaten as a pot herb, Used to make juice
  
Used As Indoor Plant
Sometimes
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
  
Bedding Plant, Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border
  
Botanical Name
PACHYPODIUM lamerei
  
BETA vulgaris ssp. cicla
  
Common Name
Madagascar Palm, Club Foot
  
Swiss Chard
  
In Hindi
Madagascar palm
  
Swiss Chard
  
In German
Madagaskarpalme
  
Swiss Chard
  
In French
Pachypodium de Madagascar
  
Chard suisse
  
In Spanish
Palma de Madagascar
  
Acelgas
  
In Greek
Pachypodium
  
Σέσκουλο
  
In Portuguese
Palmeirinha-de-madagáscar, Palmeira-de-madagáscar
  
Acelga suíça
  
In Polish
Pachypodium
  
Boćwina
  
In Latin
Mandacaru
  
Swiss Chard
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Dicotyledonae
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Gentianales
  
Caryophyllales
  
Family
Apocynaceae
  
Chenopodiaceae
  
Genus
pachypodium
  
Beta
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
  
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Malouetieae
  
Cyclolobeae
  
Subfamily
Apocynoideae
  
Betoideae