If you're buying houseplants for the first time and/or don't have the famous green thumb, you definitely need a plant that's easy to care for. Nevertheless, she should look as attractive as possible. The elephant foot meets these conditions and will give you many years of joy.
How do I care for an elephant foot as a houseplant?
The elephant's foot is an easy-care houseplant that requires a bright and warm location. Water and fertilize sparingly; ideally, let the plant overwinter at around 10 °C. When purchasing, look for he althy plants without yellowish leaves or brown tips.
Buy an elephant foot
Before you buy an elephant foot, you should take a very good look at the plant. Yellowish leaves or brown tips indicate that the elephant's foot is not doing particularly well. If it's in a dark or drafty corner, then it's better to stay away from it.
Finding the right location
As a tropical tree, the elephant's foot needs a lot of warmth and light. Ideal places for him.
How much care does an elephant foot need?
The elephant's foot is so easy to care for that too much harms it more than too little. This applies to water as well as nutrients. A little fertilizer in spring and summer is usually enough. The elephant's foot stores nutrients and water in its thick foot. Always water the tree only when the soil has already dried out significantly.
The elephant's foot in winter
It is entirely possible to leave the elephant's foot in the relatively warm living room all year round. However, the plant fares much better if it is allowed to overwinter a little cooler at around 10 °C. This hibernation gives the elephant foot time to regenerate. It then needs even less water and absolutely no fertilizer.
The most important things in brief:
- only buy he althy plants
- slow growing, therefore high acquisition costs for larger specimens
- bright warm location
- no drafts if possible
- ideally overwinter in a cooler place
- water and fertilize little
Tip
The elephant's foot is a very decorative and easy-care houseplant and also likes to spend the summer in the warm garden.
