It is an evergreen perennial growing to 15 feet 6 inches (4.72 m) with a noticeable expanded caudex, for storing water. The single palm-like stem produces terminal tufts of strap-shaped, recurved leathery leaves, sometimes hair lock-shaped in the ends, and with occasional panicles of small white flowers once the plant reaches over 10 years of age. The only moderately swollen trunk at the base is slender over it and only slightly branched. The almost spherical caudex in the youth stage later becomes 4 to 6 meters long and reaches a diameter of up to 50 centimeters and more at the base. The bark is smooth. The green lineal, slightly rejuvenated and bent leaves are thin, flat or slightly ridged. They are 90 to 180 inches long and 15 to 20 millimeters wide.
Elefantfotplante Care
Elefantfotplante
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Humidity
Normal
Lighting
Full Sun
Temperature
10°C - 23°C
Hardiness zone
9 - 12
Hibernation
Cold Period
How to Care for the Plant
Water
For potted indoor plants, water a ponytail palm during the growing season every seven to 14 days. The bulbous stem stores water, so be careful not to overwater it. During the winter season, cut back watering to monthly. A ponytail palm planted in the garden rarely needs to be watered if you get any kind of regular rain. In dry climates or during periods of drought, a modest watering every two weeks is sufficient.
Pruning
Damaged leaves should have the tips trimmed off back to healthy tissue. If the offsets ("pups") send up secondary shoots, you can prune these away to maintain a central trunk and classic tree-like appearance. However, a multi-stemmed tree is often desirable, and many people welcome these secondary shoots.
Fertilizer
Feed weekly with liquid fertilizer during the growing season, or use a slow-release pellet fertilizer in the spring. Reduce feeding during the winter.
Sunlight
Ponytail palms prefer to have as much light as possible, so place the plant in a bright location.
Soil
Keep soil fairly dry.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for active growth period is between 10°C (50°F) and 24°C (75°F) and for the rest period between 4°C (39°F) and 18°C (64°F), but these hardy plants are quite tolerant of extremes and frequently thrive in conditions which are quite unsuitable for other plants.
Additional
Since all parts of the elephant foot contain saponins, if they are consumed by small children or pets, they can cause severe poisoning.
We profile the exotic Elephant's Foot – named due to its distinctive corky bark. Vine with heart shaped leaves from a tuberous base or caudex with corky bark. Grown for its unusual caudex, which can get very big. Produces vine leaves in winter and spring then dies back in summer.
Popularity
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