Even the easy-care elephant's foot cannot do without care. It needs a little more than just warmth and light to thrive. Water and the right nutrients are required, at least in small amounts.

The elephant foot needs very little fertilizer

Which fertilizer should I use?

The elephant's foot tolerates an organic fertilizer best, which slowly releases the nutrients it contains over a longer period of time. This can be an ordinary green plant fertilizer or a special cactus fertilizer.

How much fertilizer does an elephant's foot really need?

By nature, the elephant's foot needs relatively little water, but only a limited amount of nutrients. It stores both in its thick trunk base. If you use cactus fertilizer, then give the elephant's foot a regular dose about every four to six weeks.

Half a portion of commercial green manure is sufficient. It is often even recommended to only water the elephant's foot twice a year, in spring and summer. Just try out what your plant feels comfortable with.

What happens if I fertilize too little?

If your elephant's foot doesn't get enough fertilizer, nothing will happen for a relatively long time. He takes care of himself from his stored supply as long as this is possible. However, if there is a persistent lack of nutrients, the leaves will turn brown.

What happens in case of over-fertilization?

Over-fertilizing is almost worse for the elephant's foot than under-fertilizing. Then so-called horny growth can occur. The elephant's foot forms plenty of leaves, but these are relatively weak, light and more or less yellowish. A plant that has been damaged in this way is easy prey for pests or pathogens.

The essentials in brief:

  • fertilize rather little (small dose)
  • Use cactus fertilizer or green manure
  • fertilize between twice a year and once a month
  • if there is too little fertilizer, the tips of the leaves turn brown
  • Over-fertilization leads to yellow leaves and horny growth

tips

It is better to fertilize an elephant's foot a little less than too much. In his Mexican homeland, he is not spoiled with an oversupply either.

Category:

Vegetable garden