Dioscorea elephantipes

Common Names

Elephant's Foot, Hottentot Bread, Turtle Back, Turtle Shell

Summary

Originating from the Cape Provinces of Southern Africa, this slow-growing climber features a large above-ground caudex with corky, deeply fissured plates resembling an elephant’s foot or tortoise shell, giving an architectural, living-rock appearance. It bears slender twining vines with heart-shaped leaves and small pale greenish-yellow flowers on separate male and female plants, making it dioecious; the caudex typically reaches 60 to 90 cm across and supports growth over several meters.

Cultivation emphasizes well-drained soil and a preference for bright light to semi-shade; outdoors is preferred in warm climates, with frost sensitivity and a tendency to summer dormancy requiring reduced watering. Water around the edges and allow the soil to nearly dry between waterings; propagation is mainly by seeds (winged) sown shallowly, as cuttings are uncommon or difficult; plants are long-lived and can be grown as a houseplant or patio specimen in suitable zones (9b to 11b).

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-6 feet

Spread

2-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9b-11b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial sun or partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining, porous soil (loam or sandy loam), often improved with sand, perlite, or pumice.

Soil Drainage

Porous, well-drained soil.

Soil pH

6.5

Bloom Color

Green to yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green (including blue-green, bright green, dark green, and mid to deep green), with yellow and bluish tones

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

All four seasons — Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and other pollinators