Even quite undemanding plants like the easy-care elephant's foot cannot endure everything. However, a lot has to happen in order for your elephant's foot to really die. Not every brown leaf is the result of a serious plant disease, but sometimes it's completely normal.
What to do if the elephant's foot dies?
If an elephant's foot dies, it may be caused by a lack of water or nutrients, extreme temperatures or pests. To save the plant, you should change the location, water properly, replace wet soil and possibly control pests.
What's wrong with my elephant foot?
If your elephant tree loses a few leaves at the bottom, this is nothing to worry about; it is just the normal way this plant develops. The same amount of new leaves should sprout at the top. Brown leaf tips also appear when the leaves touch, for example against the ground, the wall or other plants. You can remedy this by moving the plant.
If your elephant's foot loses more leaves than it grows back, then investigate the cause. He only needs a little water, but he should actually get it. Always water the elephant's foot when the soil is a little dry. Too much water can lead to rotting roots, which can also cause your elephant's foot to die.
How can I save my elephant foot?
First aid for your elephant foot depends on the cause of its symptoms. If there is a draft, sunburn, lack of light or cold, a change of location helps. If your elephant foot is in danger of drying out, then water it. It is best to replace wet soil, otherwise the roots of your elephant foot can rot. Then avoid additional fertilizer, the elephant's foot only needs a few nutrients.
Be sure to check your elephant foot for pest infestation. Although they do not occur very often, they are most likely to infect plants that are weakened by incorrect location or care errors.
The most important things in brief:
- some leaf loss normal
- Possible causes of brown leaves: lack of water or nutrients, sun, cold
- Possible causes of illness: drafts, dry air, infection from other plants
- first aid: change of location, watering, fertilizing, changing soil, pest control
Tip
If you want to save a sickly elephant's foot, then start with the simplest measures (watering, changing location, replacing soil before resorting to chemicals.
