Elephant Foot is the common name given to Dioscorea elephantipes. This plant goes dormant between May and June and is native to the dry interiors of South Africa. Belonging to the Dioscoreaceae family, this heart-shaped succulent can grow about 3 meters.
Growth Rate
The Elephant Foot's growth rate is slow but it is most known to live more than other succulents. It has an average life span of about 70 years.
Flowering
During late fall or early winter, you will witness the Elephant Foot plants blooming greenish-yellow colored flowers that are star-shaped.
Watering and Feeding
Adopt a soak and dry method to ensure you do not overwater the plant. Never water the plant directly in the tuber. Water it around the edges of the pot you are growing it in. For additional Elephant Foot's care, use a balanced fertilizer at one quarter strength once a month when the plant is not dormant.
Soil
Elephant Foot only has one single requirement - a draining type of potting soil. This is because the succulent can easily drown while watering.
Hardiness
This easy-to-grow plant has a hardiness zone of 10 and likes to stay away from cold temperatures. However, it can take low temperatures up to -4°C.
Light
A sunny spot where the Elephant Foot plants get direct bright light is loved by the plant. Make sure it gets enough sun in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon.
Propagation
Elephant Foot's seeds are good for propagation than cuttings. Even though easy, it can take about six months or more for production.
Most plant owners call this a weird but unique, rare, and beautiful plant to add to your collection. The uniqueness of the plant comes from not just how the plant looks, but also from how it acts.
Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz
