Yellow Horn Tree (Pachypodium rosulatum)

Photo: amantedarmaninCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Yellow Horn Tree Plant Care

Pachypodium rosulatum Baker

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Pachypodium rosulatum, also known as the Madagascar Palm, is a unique succulent with thick, spiny stems and rosettes of green leaves at the top. Its striking appearance and slow growth habit make it a popular choice among plant collectors.

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Water

Every 14–21 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Yellow Horn Tree?

Plant Yellow Horn Tree in full sun (USDA zones 10a–11b) and water a young tree every 14–21 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

What Is the Yellow Horn Tree?

Yellow Horn Tree (Pachypodium rosulatum) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Pachypodium genus. Yellow Horn Tree is native to Madagascar. Yellow Horn Tree is also known as Rosulate Pachypodium.

Yellow Horn Tree displays an upright, branching tree-like growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Yellow Horn Tree produces tubular white or yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Yellow Horn Tree?

Water a young or newly planted Yellow Horn Tree every 14–21 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 14–21 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Yellow Horn Tree Need?

Yellow Horn Tree thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Yellow Horn Tree Prefer?

Pachypodium rosulatum tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Yellow Horn Tree prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Yellow Horn Tree?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Yellow Horn Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Yellow Horn Tree?

Feed Yellow Horn Tree every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Yellow Horn Tree?

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for extra drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Yellow Horn Tree is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Yellow Horn Tree?

Yellow Horn Tree can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Yellow Horn Tree?

Prune Yellow Horn Tree while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Yellow Horn Tree in Winter?

Yellow Horn Tree is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Yellow Horn Tree?

Yellow Horn Tree can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to madagascar palm plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Yellow Horn Tree Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

Toxic to humans and pets if ingested

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Yellow Horn Tree?

Yellow Horn Tree is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Yellow Horn Tree Need?

Yellow Horn Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Yellow Horn Tree is native to Madagascar. In cooler regions, grow Yellow Horn Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 10a – 11b

Keep exploring plants

Yellow Horn Tree is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Pachypodium genus — compare its care with other Pachypodium species on PlantoScan.

Pachypodium is part of the Apocynaceae plant family — browse all Apocynaceae genera and species.

Yellow Horn Tree thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Pachypodium Species

Other Pachypodium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Pachypodium rosulatum Baker, family Apocynaceae (first published in J. Bot. 20: 219 (1882)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Yellow Horn Tree is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: amantedarmanin, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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