Botanical Pedicure: How to Properly Care for an Elephant's Foot Plant.

Once you've brought this thick-skinned houseplant into your home, the elephant's foot usually impresses with its lush growth. However, to ensure this water-storing plant lasts a long time, you need to care for it appropriately.

The elephant's foot is accustomed to a low-rainfall and warm climate – therefore, it tolerates a small amount of water much better than too frequent watering. But this popular houseplant also cannot stand in direct sunlight for long; just like us humans, it can get sunburn. A partially shaded location provides the perfect combination for the elephant's foot: the sun can provide it with warmth and light, and the leaves and trunk are protected from direct sunlight.

While the elephant's foot is considered a low-maintenance houseplant, it can sometimes struggle with minor issues. If the leaves turn brown, there are several possible causes. A sudden change of location, for example, can trigger the discoloration. However, this is purely a protective reaction of the plant, which sheds its old leaves to allow new, location-adapted leaves to grow.