Elephants Foot (Dioscorea elephantipes)

This weird and wonderful caudiciform plant has the most unusual caudex that includes layers of corky bark that resemble an elephants foot. Stems with heart-shaped leaves grow from the caudex and flowers appear during the winter months with male and female flowers occurring on different plants. Grow in a well-drained cactus mix and do not water directly on the caudex. Mature, container-grown plants have a dormant period that occurs in the heat of summer when the leaves dry up and the plant rests. Move the Elephant Foot to a cool, dry location and do not water for 2-3 weeks. After the resting period, return the plant to a sunny location and resume watering. This will initiate new stems and leaf growth.