Burke's Elephant's Root Plant Care

Burke's Elephant's Root (Elephantorrhiza burkei) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Elephantorrhiza genus. Burke's Elephant's Root is native to southern Africa, in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and the Northern Provinces of South Africa.

Burke's Elephant's Root displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Burke's Elephant's Root produces small white or pink clustered flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Burke's Elephant's Root every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Burke's Elephant's Root thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Elephantorrhiza burkei tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Burke's Elephant's Root prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Burke's Elephant's Root to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Burke's Elephant's Root every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Burke's Elephant's Root is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Burke's Elephant's Root can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Burke's Elephant's Root while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Burke's Elephant's Root is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Burke's Elephant's Root can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to elephant root plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Burke's Elephant's Root is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Burke's Elephant's Root grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Burke's Elephant's Root is native to southern Africa, in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and the Northern Provinces of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Burke's Elephant's Root as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.