A caudex plant, or more correctly, a caudiciform plant, is a succulent growth that stores water in the lower part of the stem. A thickened stem or tuber is a typical feature. We introduce you to the 32 most beautiful caudex plants.

In a nutshell

  • characteristic thickening of the main shoot / trunk (caudex)
  • serves as a storage organ for water
  • succulent plants that can do without water for a long time
  • go dormant in winter
  • some species also in summer

Types from A - C

Adenia glauca

  • comes from southern Africa and Madagascar
  • climbing growth
  • forms up to a meter thick, blue-green caudex
  • grows between mid-March to mid-November
  • Rest period from mid-November
  • winter dry and cool at 12 to 14 °C

Notice: The distinctive feature of this caudex plant is the thick, blue-green caudex, which can measure up to a meter in diameter.

Adenium obesum

  • also called desert rose
  • belongs to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae)
  • exceptionally thick trunk
  • Flowers in violet, red, pink and white from April to June
  • undemanding and easy to care for
  • needs a lot of sun

Tip: Overwinter the desert rose at around 10 to 15 °C. Basically, a warm hibernation is not a problem, but this inhibits the formation of flowers.

Albuca spiralis cv. 'Frizzle Sizzle'

  • from the hyacinth family (Hyacinthaceae)
  • South African onion plant
  • lush green, corkscrew-shaped leaves
  • fragrant, yellow flowers from June
  • Location: sunny, protect from midday sun

Alluaudia procera

  • native to Madagascar
  • long gray and thorny shoots with small, green leaves
  • Keep as bright as possible all year round
  • in summer at 30 °C, in winter at least 15 °C
  • fertilize regularly with cactus fertilizer, then grow very quickly

Ammocharis coranica

  • belongs to the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)
  • Bulbous plant with striking, pink umbel flowers
  • blooms in spring and early summer
  • widespread in southern Africa
  • place in full sun for optimal flowering
  • dormant period in the winter months

Brunsvigia grandiflora

  • also called candelabra lily
  • Flowering time in late summer
  • Inflorescence up to 80 centimeters high with up to 60 dark pink flowers
  • comes from South Africa
  • tolerates some frost

Cephalopentandra ecirrhosa

  • native to East Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda)
  • Climbing plant with tendrils up to one meter long
  • Caudex up to 60 centimeters wide
  • Shoots in spring, sheds leaves in winter
  • likes sun and warmth, but not blazing midday sun
  • do not place cooler than 10 °C in winter

Notice: This caudex plant is sometimes referred to as a "volcanic plant" because the thick tuber, which tapers towards the top, is visually reminiscent of a volcano.

Cyrtanthus spiralis

  • from the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)
  • based in South Africa
  • characteristic spiral leaves
  • Tuber only between three and five centimeters thick
  • Quiescent phase mostly in the summer months
  • Temperature in winter not below 15 °C, between 15 and 20 °C is optimal

Notice: This caudex species is a rarity and rarely commercially available. Due to its degree of rarity, the small, distinctive plant costs a comparatively large amount of money at EUR 20 to 40.

Types of D - H

Dioscorea elephantipes

  • also turtle plant
  • belongs to the yam family (Dioscoreaceae)
  • Climbing plant from South Africa
  • bizarre growth with long shoots and heart-shaped leaves
  • Location: sunny, dark and cool when dormant

Tip: Unlike many other plants, the tortoise plant has no set rest periods. She puts them in whenever she wants. This can be in winter or in summer. Keep in the dark at a maximum of 16 °C during the rest phase and only wet with water once a month.

Dioscorea mexicana

Source: Consultaplantas, Dioscorea mexicana 1e, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • is also called the turtle plant
  • related to Dioscorea elephantipes
  • comes from Mexico and Panama
  • Caudex can grow up to a meter wide
  • can be several hundred years old
  • Shoots need climbing help

Dioscorea sylvatica

  • also known as elephant foot
  • Rarity from South Africa
  • Climbing plant with tendrils up to five meters long
  • alternate, heart-shaped leaves
  • Caudex up to 40 centimeters wide

Dorstenia crispa ssp. lancifolia

  • belongs to the mulberry family (Moraceae)
  • Native to the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa
  • tolerates midday sun
  • Do not let the substrate dry out in summer
  • year-round cultivation possible at room temperature

Dorstenia foetida

  • German name "Stinkende Dorstenie"
  • grows up to 40 centimeters high
  • comes from East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula
  • loses leaves in winter
  • Overwinter at 10 to 15 °C, water only in sips

Dracaena draco

  • also known as the Canary Dragon Tree
  • grows up to two meters high
  • easy-care, evergreen houseplant
  • palm-like stem with a tuft of leaves
  • as bright a location as possible without direct sunlight

Tip: Turn the pot with the dragon tree regularly, otherwise the plant will grow crooked.

Eriospermum cooperi

  • Asparagus plant from southern Africa
  • remaining small: caudex up to seven centimeters thick
  • Shade caudex and keep out of direct sunlight
  • single upright leaf and white to light green flowers during the summer months
  • up to 60 centimeters high

Euphorbia stellata

Source: D.Georgi, Euphorbia Stellata, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE
  • small wolf meeaceae (Euphorbiaceae) from South Africa
  • Star-shaped thorny branches branch off the main shoot
  • bright location, but protected from direct sun
  • Rest period from October to February
  • ideal temperature in the winter quarters: 12 to 15 °C

Fockea edulis

  • native to southern Africa
  • cartilaginous, thick caudex with evergreen leaves
  • forms tendrils up to four meters long
  • green-yellow, star-shaped flowers in late summer
  • needs full sun and warmth
  • demanding in care

Planting from I - O

Ipomoea holubii

Source: Tangopaso, Ipomoea holubii D170802, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • impressive, often spherical caudex
  • native of southern Africa between Malawi and Botswana
  • grows there in scrub and grassland
  • 80 to 250 centimeters high
  • pretty pink flowers

Jatropha berlandieri

  • also commercially available under Jatropha cathartica
  • from the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae)
  • herbaceous plant with large, bulbous roots
  • thick, fleshy shoots up to 30 centimeters long
  • Leaves up to ten centimeters long
  • multi-flowered shoots

Notice: Unlike many other caudex plants, this species is not native to Africa but can be found in the southern United States and Mexico.

Mestoclema tuberosum

  • rare species native to South Africa
  • bizarre caudex with slightly flaking red-brown bark
  • rosemary-like foliage
  • up to 60 centimeters high
  • bare in winter

Myrmecodia tuberosa

  • also known as the ant plant
  • forms very large caudex, shoots up to 30 centimeters high
  • grows epiphytically (i.e. as an epiphyte), can be tied up
  • Slightly shady in summer, as bright as possible in winter

Tip: In the large caudex of this species, ants live in the natural habitats, with animals and plants forming a symbiosis. In return for living space and food, the ants protect the plant from predators.

Planting from P - R

Pachypodium geayi

  • also called Madagascar palm
  • from the dogbane family (Apocynaceae)
  • grows up to ten meters high in its natural habitat, much smaller in a pot
  • Caudex forms a thick, cylindrical column covered with thorns
  • Growth phase in winter, dormant phase in the summer months

Tip: In order for the Madagascar palm to grow well, it needs a pot that is as large and, above all, as deep as possible, which is provided with a layer of gravel. Clay pots are best because of the better water evaporation.

Petopentia natalensis

  • belongs to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae)
  • sometimes erroneously sold as Fockea natalensis
  • from southern Africa
  • caudex with thinner. brown, torn bark
  • climbing shoots become lignified over time

Tip: You should water this caudex plant a lot during the summer growth phase, but avoid waterlogging. Due to the higher nutrient requirement, you should also administer a small dose of cactus fertilizer with each watering.

Plectranthus seriousii

  • visually reminds of a miniature baobab tree
  • bulbous and thickened trunk
  • Leaves smell strongly of mint, which is why it is also known as "bonsai mint".
  • up to 50 centimeters high
  • produces many white labial flowers in summer
  • native to South Africa

Raphionacme zeyheri

  • also native to South Africa
  • forms a strongly thickened caudex up to 25 centimeters high
  • shoots up to 15 centimeters high with leaves two to four centimeters long
  • bell-shaped, light green flowers
  • Rest phase in winter, do not place cooler than 12 °C

Planting from S - Z

Scadoxus multiflorus

  • also called blood flower or fireball lily
  • belongs to the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)
  • forms bright red-orange flower balls
  • Flowering time between July and August
  • not easy to care for

Tip: The blood flower feels most comfortable in a bright, but not directly sunny and as warm as possible location. It needs a nutrient-rich substrate that should be kept slightly moist during the growth phase.

Scilla violacea

  • Also known as tiger leaf
  • Bulbous plant with tabby leaves and flowers reminiscent of hyacinths
  • Main onion drives many side onions
  • native to South Africa
  • easy to care for
  • Growth phase in summer, dormant phase in winter

Stephania cepharantha v. hayata

  • rare caudex plant with caudex up to 20 centimeters wide
  • native to southwest China and Taiwan
  • Care: water weekly
  • Hibernation: at 12 to 20 °C, do not water

Stephania glabra

  • herbaceous, perennial climbing plant with a large tuber
  • big leaves
  • comes from Asia, where the tuber is often used medicinally
  • Care: water weekly
  • Hibernation: at 12 to 20 °C, do not water

Stephania pierrei / erecta

  • rare caudex plant from Southeast Asia
  • Caudex can grow up to 30 centimeters thick
  • rounded caudex
  • Shoots up to eight meters long, sprout in spring
  • round leaves and yellowish flowers

Tylecodon wallichii

  • from the thick leaf family (Crassulaceae)
  • comes from South Africa and Namibia
  • up to 50 centimeters high
  • grows from mid-March to around mid-November
  • Rest period from mid-November
  • needs a full sun and warm location

Tip: Like many other summer-growing species, you can place this caudex plant in a sheltered spot outdoors during the warm season. Bring the plants in in autumn before the temperature drops below ten degrees Celsius.

Uncarina grandidieri

Source: © William Crochot / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0, Uncarina grandidieri - 83, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • also called mousetrap tree
  • caudex-forming tree native to Madagascar
  • up to four meters high in the natural habitat
  • produces bright yellow flowers
  • sunny to semi-shady location in the summer months
  • high water demand in summer
  • Dormant phase in winter: not cooler than 15 °C, do not water

frequently asked Questions

What are caudex plants?

The botanist understands the term "caudex" to mean the entire shoot of a plant, i. H. the part of the plant that grows directly from the root. It is typical of caudex plants that this part stores water and can therefore thicken considerably. Caudex plants are therefore succulents, although not every succulent is a caudex.

Do caudex plants belong to a plant family?

No, under the term "caudex plant" the specialist groups plants that store water in their shoots. They belong to very different botanical families and are often not even related. The only thing that unites the different species is this one feature of their storage organ and the fact that they can do without water for a long time.

What do you have to consider when caring for caudex plants?

Apart from a few exceptions, caudex plants are easy to care for: they get by with little water, only need a little fertilizing and do not need to be cut. However, they need a lot of light and warmth, and almost all of them go into a resting phase. This is, depending on the species, in summer or in winter. Caudex plants should be kept comparatively cool and dry during their dormant phase, and most species will shed their leaves. You should also use a loose, permeable substrate and avoid waterlogging.

Category:

Garden design