The easy-care and exotic-looking elephant's foot (bot. Beaucarnea recurvata) does not require regular pruning, but is still pruning-tolerant. Since it doesn't take offense much, it is very suitable as a houseplant for beginners and people "without a green thumb".

The elephant foot is very cut-tolerant

Which cutting measures can the elephant's foot tolerate?

The elephant foot can tolerate quite radical cuts. If necessary, if the tree has become too big for you, you can simply cut it. So that it sprouts again quickly, you should cut back before or at the beginning of the growing season in spring.

What should I pay attention to when cutting?

As with any plant trimming, you should definitely use clean and sharp tools. If large cut surfaces or wounds arise, a wound closure protects against infections with fungal spores or other pathogens. After cutting the trunk, the elephant's foot usually develops two to three lateral shoots.

Can I support the new growth?

In principle, the elephant's foot drives out quite reliably on its own after the pruning, but with a little support from you it works even better. If your elephant's foot has only had one main shoot and few or no side shoots, it will initially be quite bare after the cut.

As a result, it requires even less water than before. So cut down on watering, even if it seems odd to you. If you want to shorten several shoots, it is best not to do this at the same time but one after the other, so that there is always some green left over. Give the elephant's foot plenty of light, this stimulates its growth.

Can I prune the leaves?

Pruning the leaves is strongly discouraged, even though they can grow up to a meter long. The cut sooner or later leaves very unsightly brown leaf tips. If you cut them off again, a vicious circle begins. It is better to completely remove shoots that have become too long.

How do I cut cuttings?

Propagation with the help of seeds works best for the elephant foot. But it is also possible to cut cuttings. The side shoots that grow in the leaf axils are particularly suitable for this. However, the soil should remain evenly warm during cultivation and the cuttings should not dry out.

The essentials in brief:

  • no regular pruning required
  • well tolerated by cuts
  • If necessary, the tree can be shortened
  • Close larger wounds better (prevents infections)
  • cut trunk usually forms 2 to 3 lateral shoots
  • only use clean and sharp tools

tips

If your elephant's foot has become too big for the living room or conservatory, then shorten the trunk and the plant will reliably sprout again.

Category:

Vegetable garden