Elephant's Foot
Elephantopus tomentosus
Last reviewed: October 2026
Elephantopus tomentosus, or elephant's foot, is a low growing forb of open woods, clearings and dry fields across the southeastern United States, with small lavender flower heads appearing September through November.
Toxicity unknown
Elephant's Foot (Elephantopus tomentosus) 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.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
3"–24" H × 3"–24" W
Bloom
Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
AL, AR, FL, GA and 10 more states
Pollinators
butterflies, bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Elephant's Foot is a low-growing native perennial that forms compact clumps of soft, fuzzy leaves. It produces small purple flowers in late summer and fall, then goes dormant in winter. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in sunny spots with minimal water once established.
Growing Elephant's Foot
Grow Elephant's Foot in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 3 to 24 inches tall and spread 3 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Elephant's Foot is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The fall blooms provide nectar for butterflies and bees during a season when many other flowers have finished. It serves as a host plant for some native butterfly species.
Common questions
- How much sun does Elephantopus tomentosus need?
- It grows best in full sun but also tolerates part sun and part shade, such as along woodland edges and in open clearings.
- How much water does Elephantopus tomentosus need?
- It tolerates low to medium moisture and handles dry, well drained soils well once it is established.
- When does Elephantopus tomentosus bloom?
- It blooms in late summer into fall, typically from September through November.
- What pollinators visit Elephantopus tomentosus?
- Bees and butterflies are the most common visitors to its small purple flower heads.
- What does Elephantopus tomentosus look like?
- It forms a low rosette of felted, hairy leaves with wiry, branched stalks that carry clusters of small purple to lavender blooms in fall.
- Is Elephant's Foot HOA-friendly?
- Elephant's Foot is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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 Elephant's Foot? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.