Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Elephant Foot Yam)
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, the Elephant Foot Yam, is a close relative of the Corpse Flower or Titan Arum, Amorphophallus titanum. The inflorescence is a bit smaller, not quite as smelly, and doesn't take as many years to bloom. Our first plant (grown from seed) bloomed after 4 years in April of 2023, and is now producing a leaf for the first time since blooming. Its inflorescence and current leaf stalk can be seen in the main photos. Yes, it's already twice as tall as the 33 gallon trash can in our greenhouse! The top growth dies back completely in the winter, and it remains a dormant tuber for several months. It usually sends up either an inflorescence or a new leaf from the tuber in the spring. The leaves and leaf stalks mature very quickly, remaining in full form throughout the summer. Our second plant to bloom, at 5 years old in April of 2024, is surprising us by producing a leaf 2 months later. It likes partial shade, regular water, rich loamy soil, and warm temperatures. It is a tropical plant, winter hardy only in zones 9-11. The plants being offered in this listing are pups or buds from the tubers of our 4 and 5 year old plants that have already bloomed.
Common Name - Elephant Foot Yam
Genus - Amorphophallus
Species - paeoniifolius
Climate - Tropical
Plant Habit - Tuberous
Flower Color - Maroon Purple
Soil Type - Loam
Season of Interest - Fall, Spring, Summer
Watering - Medium
Plant Type - Aroid
Growth Rate - Fast
Sunlight - Full Shade, Full Sun, Partial Shade
Foliage - Deciduous
Features - Flowering, Perennial, Ornamental Foliage
USDA Hardiness Zone - 9 (20 - 30°F)
Return and Refund Policy
We ship plants in excellent condition, Priority Mail, and we immobilize them in the box with bamboo stakes and wrapping paper. If, despite our best efforts, the plant arrives dead or broken due to some negligence on our part, we will refund the purchase price or send you a replacement. You must notify us of the problem within 3 days of delivery, and send substantiating digital photos. Once you have had the plant for longer than 3 days, its condition is no longer our responsibility.
Plant Sizing
Small plants are starter plants between 5 and 15 inches tall or long in pots that are 2.5" square x 3.5" deep. Large plants generally have more than one growing shoot or branch, and are between 15 and 22 inches tall or long in pots that are 3.5" square x 5" deep. Please rely on this description, rather than the photos, to determine what size plant you will receive.
Copyright Notice
All photographs used in our listings are our own, taken at our nursery or in the gardens where the parent plants are grown. This is so our customers know what they are getting, and can be sure that the plants perform as advertised. Permission is NOT granted to use our photographs for any commercial purposes.