Elephant foot, the most decorative and resistant plant

The elephant’s foot yucca is one of the most cultivated plants both indoors and outdoors. It is very elegant and requires little maintenance. As it has a non-invasive root system, it is perfect to place in those delicate corners such as the entrance to the home; It even looks great near the pool.

In addition to being a very ornamental plant, the petals of its flowers are consumed as a vegetable. So, Why not have one or more copies?

Characteristics of the elephant foot plant

The Elephant’s Foot plant, also known as Indoor Yucca, Fine Yucca, Giant Yucca or Izote, and which botanists call yucca elephantipesis an arborescent plant of the Agavaaceae family native to Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala. It has a rather slow growth rate, reaching a height of 10 meters with normally branched stems.

The leaves are evergreen and elongatedfrom 50 to 100cm in length by 5 to 7cm in width, they can be green or variegated (Yucca elephantipes »Variegata»). Although they end up in a point, They are not as dangerous as those of other Yucaslike Y. aloifolia.

The flowers, which sprout in summer, appear grouped in hanging clusters of up to 2m in length.. They are bell-shaped and white. The fruit is dry, black and ovoid in shape.

How do you take care of yourself?

Our protagonist is a plant suitable for beginners that adapts to almost everything. To take care of it, you just have to follow the advice we offer you:

Location

You can have it indoors in a room with plenty of natural light, or outdoors in full sun. If you live in an area with a warm climate, where temperatures rise above 30ºC in summer, place it in semi-shade.

Soil or substrate

It is not demanding. It can grow without problems in limestone and sandy soil. But, yes, if it is in a pot it is highly recommended to mix equal parts universal growing substrate with perlite (or any other draining material, such as clay balls, river sand, akadama or pomex), since otherwise its roots they could rot.

Irrigation

Flower pot

If it is in a pot it will need to be watered every 3 days in summer, and every 5-7 days the rest of the year. In case of doubt, the humidity of the substrate should be checked before watering. To do this, you can do the following:

• Introduce a thin wooden stick: if it comes out practically clean when you extract it, it means that the soil is dry and that it can therefore be watered.
• Using a digital moisture meter: its handling is very simple, since it is only necessary to introduce it so that it indicates almost instantly how wet the earth is. To be more effective, it should be introduced in other parts of the pot as the soil that is closer to the edge of the pot is usually drier than the one that is closer to the stem of the plant.
• Weigh the pot once watered, and again after a few days: wet soil weighs more than dry soil, so if we weigh it when we have finished watering and do it again after 5-7 days, we will see that it weighs less. This difference can serve as a guide to know when to water.

In the event that we have put a plate underneath, we will remove the water that has been left over 15 minutes after watering. This will prevent the roots from rotting.

Land

During the first year it will be necessary to water every 3-5 days in the hottest months, and every 10-15 days in the coldest. From the second on, we will spread out the irrigations. In this way we will get the plant to develop a root system capable of withstanding drought.

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Whether in a pot or in the garden it is highly advisable to pay it in spring and summer. If it is in a container, liquid fertilizers will be used, such as guano or one for cactus and succulent plants (it is not a succulent, but its nutritional requirements are similar to those of these plants). Follow the instructions specified on the packaging.

If you are decorating the garden, you can use organic fertilizers in powder, such as manure or worm castings. It will suffice to put a 3cm layer around the trunk once a month.

Planting or transplanting time

The best time to spend it in the garden or a larger pot is in springwhen the risk of frost has passed and the minimum temperature begins to rise above 15ºC.

Pruning

It’s not necesary. It will be enough to cut off the withered flower stalks.

Multiplication

The Elephant’s Foot plant can be multiplied by seeds, separation of basal shoots and by trunk cuttings in spring. Let’s see how to proceed in each case:

Seeds

To see the elephant foot Yucas germinate you have to do the following:

1. The first thing to do is obtain the seeds, either by collecting them from the plant or buying them online.
2. Once at home, they are placed in a glass of water for 24 hours. Those that remain floating will be disposed of as they will not be viable.
3. Afterwards, they will be sown in a seedbed with universal culture substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts.
4. Finally, they will be watered and placed in a semi-shaded area.

Basal Stem Separation

The basal shoots are suckers that sprout from the root of the mother plant. To separate them, must:

1. Make a small trench, about 20cm deep, around the basal stem.
2. Next, as much soil as possible is removed, until the roots are visible.
3. Afterwards, it is proceeded to cut with previously disinfected scissors to be able to separate the stem.
4. Once you have it, you will proceed to plant it in a pot with vermiculite.

Cuttings

Elephantfoot Yucca cuttings root very well both in water and on land. Just keep in mind that the pieces must measure at least 30cm. To have a greater guarantee of success, the base can be impregnated with rooting hormones.

Rusticity

Withstands weak frosts down to -3ºC. If you live in an area where the climate is colder, it is advisable to have it at home.

Enjoy your plant .