elephant's foot

Also known as: tortoise plant

A deciduous climbing perennial growing from a large, partly exposed, rugged woody tuber, with heart-shaped blue-green leaves and racemes of tiny yellow flowers

Scientific classification

Species: elephant's foot (Dioscorea elephantipes)
Genus: Dioscorea
Family: Dioscoreaceae

TOXIC is eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling]
Toxicity: Climber Wall Shrub · Conservatory Greenhouse
Plant type: 0.5-1 metres
Height: 0.5-1 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Climbing
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

elephant's foot pictures

Distribution of elephant's foot

Distribution map

South Africa

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

TOXIC is eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling]

Quick identification of elephant's foot

Information to be completed

elephant's foot care guide

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings

Fertilizing

Balanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer

Pruning

Routine pruning is unnecessary; shorten overlong shoots to fit the available space. Prune in spring.

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 19 to 24°C in spring or take softwood cuttings as young shoots arise from the tuber in spring

Growing

Under glass grow in gritty, very well-draining potting compost mulched with grit in full light. Water moderately when in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every two or three weeks; keep completely dry in winter. Suitable for a desert garden

More growing and care information →