Elephant's foot care guide
Dioscorea elephantipes
Also known as: Turtle back plant, Tortoise plant
Pets and children
Caution advised
The tuber and leaves contain saponins that can cause vomiting or diarrhea if eaten; keep it out of reach and see a veterinarian (or a doctor, for a child) if eaten.
How often to water Elephant's foot
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 14 days
- A winter grower ending its season: water when dry in March and April, stretch the gaps as the leaves yellow in May and June, and in summer only moisten lightly about once or twice a month.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 7 days
- Resume once a shoot rises from the tuber in September or October, watering when the soil dries, as a guide; hold off until then.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 14 days
- In growth: water on a warm morning once the soil dries, as a guide; indoors judge by the pot's weight.
Light and placement for Elephant's foot
Generally bright light for the vine from fall to spring, at a sunny window; the tuber scorches in direct sun, so shade it a little with a neighboring pot, and rest it in bright, rain-free shade in summer.
Overwintering Elephant's foot
Overwintering guide: 5°C (41°F) or above
Winter is its growing season: as a guide, keep it at a sunny window above 5°C; fairly cold-tolerant short of frost, it prefers a cool window to an overheated room.
Fertilizing and repotting Elephant's foot
Fertilizer
Diluted liquid feed about once a month from October to March while the vine grows, none during the summer rest; heavy feeding only makes more vine.
When to repot
Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Common problems with Elephant's foot
- Watered in summer like everything else, the dormant tuber rots.
- Early-summer dieback of the vine is taken for disease, and water and feed are increased.
- Direct sun on the tuber scorches and dents its surface.
Tips for growing Elephant's foot
- Set a stake or ring when the fall shoot appears so the vine can climb.
- Summer dieback is dormancy: cut the vine and wait in bright shade for the fall shoot.
- The Mexican species D. mexicana is a summer grower with the opposite cycle.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
