Carolina Elephantsfoot
Elephantopus carolinianus
Last reviewed: September 2026
Carolina elephantsfoot is a woodland forb that blooms from June through November with small lavender flower heads on branching stems. It thrives in part shade to shade with low to medium moisture, often along forest edges and trails.
Toxicity unknown
Carolina Elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Carolina Elephantsfoot as toxic to livestock.
Light
part sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
AL, AR, DE, FL and 19 more states
Pollinators
butterflies, bees
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Carolina Elephantsfoot is a native Texas perennial that forms low clumps of broad, textured leaves with small purple flowers clustered on branching stems. It blooms from summer through late fall, providing consistent color during the hottest months. The plant maintains its foliage through most of winter in mild climates.
Growing Carolina Elephantsfoot
Grow Carolina Elephantsfoot in part sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Carolina Elephantsfoot takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Insufficient data for HOA assessment
- Default conservative
Wildlife value
This plant attracts butterflies and bees with its long blooming period from June through November. The extended flowering season makes it particularly valuable for late-season pollinators preparing for winter.
Common questions
- When does Carolina elephantsfoot bloom?
- Carolina elephantsfoot typically flowers from June into November, with clusters of small lavender to pale purple blooms held above a basal rosette of leaves.
- What growing conditions does Carolina elephantsfoot prefer?
- This forb does best in part sun to shade with low to medium water. It is commonly found along woodland edges, shaded trails, and open forest understories where soil stays lightly moist rather than wet or dry.
- What pollinators visit Carolina elephantsfoot?
- Bees and butterflies are the most frequent visitors to its small clustered flower heads, especially in late summer and fall when the plant is in full bloom.
- Does Carolina elephantsfoot keep its leaves year round?
- No. It is a deciduous forb that dies back to the ground after frost and regrows from its rosette base the following growing season.
- Is Carolina Elephantsfoot toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Carolina Elephantsfoot as toxic to livestock.
- Is Carolina Elephantsfoot HOA-friendly?
- Carolina Elephantsfoot takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Carolina Elephantsfoot? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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