With its thickened trunk base, the elephant foot is actually vaguely reminiscent of pachyderm feet. The succulent exotic is an ideal beginner plant that doesn't need too much care. However, you should repot the plant in fresh substrate every few years. Here's how to do it.
How do you repot an elephant foot?
Everythree to five yearsyou should repot the elephant's foot inspring. Then the old substrate is used up and should be replaced. The best choice isCactus or palm soil, as a planter a flat but wide bowl is the best choice.
When do you need to repot an elephant foot?
The best time to repot the elephant's foot - as well as other houseplants - isSpring At this time, when the days are getting longer again and the light intensity increases, plants invest everything their energy into growth. That's why the elephant's foot takes root again particularly quickly in spring and is also better able to develop new roots.
However, if you ask how often you should repot the elephant's foot, the answer is: aboutevery three to five years. The plant grows very slowly and only needs a few nutrients.
What kind of soil does an elephant's foot need?
When repotting the elephant's foot, use lean, loose and well-drained soil if possible. Commercially availablecactus soilis very suitable, also ingreen plant orPalm soilBeaucarnea recurvata feels comfortable. If you don't have either on hand, high-quality potting or houseplant soil can be slimmed down and made more permeable with a littleSandandClay Granules. The elephant's foot doesn't need a lot of soil anyway, and it uses it much more slowly than many other houseplants. This is also the reason why you don't have to repot the elephant tree as often.
Which planter should you choose for the elephant foot?
Since the elephant's foot is a shallow-rooted plant, it does not need a deep plant pot. It is better to use awide bowl- this only needs to be slightly wider than the thickened base of the trunk. In addition, the striking growth of the plant is best displayed in such a container. However, it is much more important that the bowl is made of a natural material such asceramic or clay: This means that the elephant's foot is more stable and the overall picture appears more harmonious. The planter must also have adrainage hole so that excess irrigation water can drain away.
What do you have to consider when repotting the elephant's foot?
Let the substrate dry out a little before repotting the elephant's foot, as dry soil separates more easily from the roots. When repotting, proceed as follows:
- Prepare new planter: place clay shards on drainage holes, fill in a thin drainage layer of expanded clay
- Mix the substrate with clay granules if necessary
- Unpotting the plant
- Carefully shake off soil adhering to the roots
- cut off any broken or rotten roots
- Place plant in new pot and fill with soil
- pour well
To close any air holes, lightly tap the plant bowl several times on a hard surface. To recover, place the elephant foot in a warm, partially shaded place for approx. 14 days and only then get it used to more sun again.
Tip
When is it possible to prune the elephant's foot?
Repotting is also a good opportunity to trim the elephant foot. For example, you can cut the stem to encourage the plant to branch more.
