1/10

Elephant's Foot

4.7 out of 5 (3 experiences)

Survivor

Fast grower

About Elephant's Foot

Elephant's Foot is a popular houseplant 🌿 that needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Plant parents describe this plant as being a survivor and a fast grower with a whopping 192 being grown with Greg around the world. Check out the reviews below for more details!🌟

Elephant's Foot likes soil that is well draining. You may want to supplement with a gentle, organic fertilizer throughout the peak growing season.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Dioscorea elephantipes

Genus

Dioscorea

Family

Dioscoreaceae

Order

Dioscoreales

Also known as

Elephant's Foot, Elephants Foot and Discorea Elephantipes

How to care for Elephant's Foot

💦 Water

How often to water your Elephant's Foot

Elephant's Foot needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

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Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Elephant's Foot in your home

Elephant's Foot love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Elephant's Foot does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Elephant's Foot in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Elephant's Foot

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Elephant's Foot: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Elephant's Foot after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

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💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Elephant's Foot prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Elephant's Foot Water Frequency →

Elephant's Foot Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Elephant's Foot requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Elephant's Foot Light Requirements →

Elephant's Foot Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Elephant's Foot is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Elephant's Foot does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Elephant's Foot →

When and How to Successfully Repot Elephant's Foot →

💩 Fertilizer

Elephant's Foot is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Elephant's Foot →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Elephant's Foot can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Elephant's Foot Temperature Tolerance →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.