If you’re looking for an interesting, low-maintenance indoor plant that provides year-round interest, the tortoise plant (Dioscorea elephantipes) is a species you’ll want to learn about. These Caudiciform perennials grow from an amazing corky stem that resembles a turtle shell, or elephant foot plant. They have a long history of interest for humans, beginning as a food source, then as a medicinal plant, and today, as a desirable house plant.
Read on to learn more about these weird and wonderful plants, and how to grow and care for them in your home.
The tortoise plant is a very interesting species indeed. For many growers, the striking caudex (enlarged succulent stem) is interesting enough to earn the plant a spot in their homes.
This structure can grow massive in nature, with some specimens reaching 10 feet (3m) across! The caudex starts off rounded, but as it grows, the caudex cracks, creating amazing geometric shapes that indicate growth rings. That’s not all they have to offer, however.
These deciduous houseplants usually put out green growth in the winter, although they often seem to have a mind of their own. When not dormant, Elephant’s foot is a vining plant that can look amazing when trained to grow on a trellis for example. It produces attractive, glossy green heart-shaped foliage and small, greenish-yellow flowers.
Plant Facts
| Scientific name | Dioscorea elephantipes |
| Common names | Tortoise plant, Elephant’s foot, Elephants foot yam, Turtleback plant, Turtle shell, Hottentot bread |
| Family | Dioscoreaceae |
| Plant Type | Houseplant |
| Height and Width | Up to 6 ft. (1.8m) tall (indoors), caudex up to 10ft. (3m) wide in nature |
| Origin | South Africa, Semi-Arid scrubland |
| Flower colors | Greenish Yellow |
| Foliage color | Green |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial sunlight, bright Indirect light |
| Soil Type & pH | Well-drained gritty soil |
| Special features | Low Maintenance, unusual, special interest |
How to Grow a Tortoise Plant
Unless you are able to find a potted specimen, you will need to grow your own plant from scratch. These plants are pretty slow-growing, and because the roots are thin, Elephant’s Foot should be planted in a shallow pot filled with permeable, well-drained garden soil.
Grown indoors, these elephant foot plants are easy to care for and do well in a well-lit area of the home. They don’t need a whole lot of attention, but there are some important things to know for success with this species.
Let’s take a closer look at how to grow these fascinating African plants.
Propagation
The only way to propagate new Elephant’s foot plants is by seed. Since these plants are slow-growing and dioecious, producing your own seed will take a plant of each sex and a good amount of patience! If you are in a position to produce your own tortoise plant seeds, be sure to let the seed capsule dry out fully before planting the winged seeds.
For most people, finding seeds online or from a specialist garden center will be the best way to get started. The best time to sow the seeds is in the fall. To get them germinating, cover them in about 5mm of soil in a shallow container and keep them moist.
Soil
The best soil for your tortoise plant is a freely draining mix of potting soil that includes a small amount of organic compost to provide the plant with some nutrients. To improve drainage, you can mix in some grit or sand. Perlite is a great, lightweight alternative to sand that will also be effective.
If you are considering growing a tortoise plant outdoors, use sandy soil that has been treated with rich, well-rotted compost.
Pruning
When the foliage on your tortoises begins to turn yellow and brown, you know the plant is entering dormancy, and this is the time to prune. In the wild, they go through dormancy in the hot, dry summers and grow actively in the cool wet winters (1). They can go in and out of dormancy at pretty much any time of year when cultivated indoors, however.
Pruning will involve cutting off the deciduous vines just above the caudex with a clean, sharp cutting tool. Often, The plant will send up another vine within a matter of weeks.
Repotting and Transplanting
Repotting is not something you’ll need to do too often because of the elephant’s foot plant’s slow growth rate. With proper care, however, the caudex can reach about 5 inches (12.5cm) across in 5 years, so eventually, it will need a bigger pot.
Just as the plant starts coming out of dormancy is a good time to repot these plants. Take care to not damage the young vine while transplanting. Avoid compacting the new soil when up-potting this species because the roots will do much better in a loose medium.
Although their caudex will be underground for the first year or two, the caudex of older specimens should not be buried. Instead, plant it just above the soil line, propped up by its roots. You can then use your top dressing to get the substrate level with the bottom of the caudex.
How to Care for the Tortoise Plant
Apart from the occasional repotting, and planning how you’d like to grow the vine, tortoise plants are very low maintenance and easy to care for. With or without the help of some floral wire, the vine that grows from your elephant’s foot plant can be trained to grow up a simple stake, trellis, or even something more natural like an interesting piece of driftwood.
Read on to learn more about caring for these plants.
Water
The tortoise plant is native to dry areas and will not survive being kept wet. It is best to water these plants well, but allow the soil to dry out between watering. This should mean watering once every week or two.
It’s easy to know when this plant will need to be watered following this routine. If it has a green vine, it is actively growing and transpiring, and therefore needs water. You should provide very little or no water during the plant’s dormant period as this could cause root rot.
When watering, avoid leaving a pool on the top of the caudex where the vine sprouts. Instead, water the soil directly all around the caudex.
Overwatering is the most common killer of this plant, so always water sparingly.
Sunlight
The tortoise plant is a bit of an interesting case regarding light requirements. These plants tend to grow amongst small shrubs, they prefer partial shade. The vine grows upon its neighbors’ branches to reach the direct sunlight above.
To replicate these ideal conditions, try to keep the caudex in the shade while allowing the vine access to bright indirect or even direct light in its growing phase.
Temperature and Humidity
The beautiful plant is a species from very hot, dry climates. They will grow best in a room with minimum temperatures of about 65°F (18°C). They can survive much lower temperatures, however, and will survive outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11b or equivalent.
Fertilizer
The tortoise plant is a slow-growing species that is adapted to live in relatively nutrient-poor conditions. Mixing in a little organic compost to the soil should be all these plants need, but you can feed this with a very dilute liquid fertilizer to stimulate more vigorous growth.
Pest and diseases
Apart from root rot issues when overwatered, the tortoise plant is generally disease resistant. They can be susceptible to some common houseplants pests like spider mites, thrips, aphids, and mealybugs, however.
FAQs
What is the soil mix for Dioscorea elephantipes?
For Dioscorea elephantipes, use a well-draining soil mix comprising cactus or succulent potting mix with perlite or coarse sand (a mixture of regular potting soil, gritty sand, and perlite can be effective.) Ensure the container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil.
How long does Dioscorea elephantipes take to grow?
Dioscorea elephantipes, or the Elephant’s Foot, is a slow-growing plant, and it may take several years, often a decade or more, for its distinctive caudex to develop and exhibit substantial growth. Patience is required for cultivating this unique succulent.
How do you grow Dioscorea elephantipes from seed?
To grow Dioscorea elephantipes from seed, soak mature seeds in warm water for 24-48 hours, then plant them 1-2 inches deep in a well-draining mix. Keep the soil consistently moist, and be patient, as germination can take weeks to months, with the distinctive caudex formation requiring several years.
Is Dioscorea Elephantipes Dioecious?
Yes, Dioscorea elephantipes is dioecious, with individual plants being either male or female, requiring the presence of both genders for seed production. Male and female plants are necessary for successful pollination. Unfortunately, this species seems to produce more male plants than female.
Conclusion
The tortoise plant is great for anyone looking for a unique and unusual house plant. Growing this species is a long-term project, so don’t be in too much of a hurry and rather enjoy the process!
*image by RukiMedia/depositphotos
