The easy-care and exotic-looking elephant foot (bot. Beaucarnea recurvata) does not require regular pruning, but is still compatible with pruning. Since it takes little offense, it is very suitable as a houseplant for beginners and people “without a green thumb”.
How do I cut an elephant foot correctly?
The elephant's foot (Beaucarnea recurvata) tolerates radical pruning well, which should be carried out in spring, before or at the beginning of the growing season. Use clean, sharp tools and close larger wounds with a wound closure. Do not prune any leaves, but remove shoots that are too long entirely.
What cutting measures can the elephant's foot tolerate?
The elephant foot can tolerate quite radical cuts. If necessary, if the tree has become too big for you, you can simply cut it down. To ensure that it sprouts again quickly, you should prune before or at the beginning of the growing season in spring.
What should I pay attention to when cutting?
As with any plant pruning, be sure to use clean and sharp tools. If large cuts or wounds occur, a wound closure (€11.00 on Amazon) protects against infections with fungal spores or other pathogens. After cutting the trunk, the elephant's foot usually develops two to three side shoots.
Can I support the new growth?
Basically, the elephant's foot sprouts quite reliably on its own after pruning, but with a little support from you it works even better. If your elephant's foot has only had one main shoot and no or few side shoots, it will initially be quite bare after the cut.
This means it requires even less water than before. So limit watering, even if it seems strange to you. If you would like to shorten several shoots, it is best not to do this at the same time but one after the other so that there is always some green left over. Give the elephant foot lots of light, this will stimulate its growth.
Can I prune the leaves?
We strongly advise against trimming the leaves, even if they can grow to a meter long. The cut sooner or later leaves very unsightly brown leaf tips. If you cut them off again, a vicious circle begins. It is better to completely remove shoots that have become too long.
How do I take cuttings?
The best way to propagate the elephant's foot is with seeds. But it is also possible to cut cuttings. The side shoots that grow in the leaf axils are particularly suitable for this. However, the soil should remain evenly warm during cultivation and the cuttings must not dry out.
The most important things in brief:
- no regular pruning required
- easy to cut
- The tree can be shortened if necessary
- close larger wounds better (prevents infections)
- capped trunk usually forms 2 to 3 side shoots
- only use clean and sharp tools
Tip
If your elephant foot has become too big for the living room or winter garden, then shorten the trunk and the plant will reliably sprout again.
