Elephant Foot Plant Plant Care

Elephant Foot Plant (Nolina recurvata) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Nolina genus. Elephant Foot Plant is native to eastern Mexico. Elephant Foot Plant is also known as Ponytail Palm, Elephant Foot Tree, Bottle Palm.

Elephant Foot Plant displays a tall, slender trunk with a rosette of long, narrow leaves growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Elephant Foot Plant produces produces panicles of small, creamy white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 24 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Elephant Foot Plant every 14–21 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Elephant Foot Plant thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Nolina recurvata tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Elephant Foot Plant prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Elephant Foot Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Elephant Foot Plant every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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 soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Elephant Foot Plant is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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

Elephant Foot Plant can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 tree spacing calculator.

Prune Elephant Foot Plant 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 tree in one year.

Elephant Foot Plant is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Elephant Foot Plant can be propagated through seeds, offsets, division.

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

Elephant Foot Plant is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. 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.

Elephant Foot Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Elephant Foot Plant is native to eastern Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Elephant Foot Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.