You can find the elephant foot in stores as an easy-care and robust houseplant. It is not uncommon for a recently purchased specimen to lose some leaves at home or for them to turn yellow or brown. This is not always a cause for concern.
Why is my elephant foot losing leaves?
An elephant's foot naturally loses some lower leaves, especially in winter. However, excessive leaf loss can be due to improper care or site conditions such as too much water, fertilizer or draft. Pay attention to a balanced ratio of falling and regrowing leaves.
How much leaf loss is normal for elephant foot?
Even with evergreen plants, including the elephant's foot, the individual leaves do not live forever. The entire foliage is renewed more or less regularly, but always spread out over a certain period of time. The lower leaves of the elephant's foot fall off, usually in winter. In spring the new leaves sprout at the top of the plant. If both are balanced, then everything is okay.
What does excessive leaf loss mean?
If your elephant's foot loses significantly more leaves than it grows new ones, then there is definitely reason for concern. You may have watered or fertilized it too much, both of which an elephant's foot tolerates less well than a period of drought. The lower end of the trunk is relatively thick, where the plant stores water and nutrients. Cold drafts are also unfavorable for elephant feet.
What can I do for my elephant foot?
To prevent your elephant's foot from getting yellow or brown leaves or even losing them, you should pay attention to good care and the right location. Above all, avoid waterlogging and drafts.
Water your elephant foot only when the soil is a little dry, in this respect it is really easy to care for. In summer the elephant's foot is welcome to stand outside in the garden. Slowly get him used to the fresh air and especially the sun.
The most important things in brief:
- some leaf loss ok
- basically the lower leaves fall off
- observe the falling leaves in the upper area
- Excessive leaf loss problematic
- possible reasons: incorrect care or wrong location
Tip
You should only worry if the leaf loss is excessive (more leaves falling off than growing back).
