When does Tall Elephantsfoot bloom?

It typically flowers from July through September, sending up branched, leafless stalks topped with clusters of small lavender flower heads.

What pollinators visit Tall Elephantsfoot?

Bees and butterflies commonly visit the small tubular flowers for nectar during the summer bloom period.

How much light and water does this plant need?

Tall Elephantsfoot does best in part sun with medium moisture, though it can tolerate drier, sunnier sites once established.

What does Tall Elephantsfoot look like when not blooming?

Outside of bloom, it forms a low rosette of broad, hairy, dark green leaves that lie close to the ground.

What kind of habitat suits this plant best?

It grows well in open pine flatwoods, sandy fields, and roadside clearings with well-drained soil and full to partial sun.

Is Tall Elephantsfoot HOA-friendly?

Tall Elephantsfoot takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Tall Elephantsfoot

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Elephantopus elatus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Tall elephantsfoot is a low-growing forb that blooms from July through September, producing small lavender flower clusters on wiry stems above a basal leaf rosette. It grows well in open pinelands and dry woodland edges across the Southeast.

Toxicity unknown

Tall Elephantsfoot (Elephantopus elatus) 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

part sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, FL, GA, LA and 2 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Southeastern Plains Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain

Tall elephantsfoot is a perennial that produces clusters of small purple flowers from summer through early fall. This moderate-sized wildflower grows in clumps and thrives in partial sun with average moisture conditions.

Growing Tall Elephantsfoot

Grow Tall Elephantsfoot in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 6 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Tall 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.

Has a distinctly wild, weedy appearance
Small flowers may not provide enough visual impact for front yards
Growth form can appear unkempt to traditional gardeners

Wildlife value

The summer and fall blooms attract bees and butterflies, providing nectar during the later growing season when many other flowers have finished.

Common questions

When does Tall Elephantsfoot bloom?: It typically flowers from July through September, sending up branched, leafless stalks topped with clusters of small lavender flower heads.
What pollinators visit Tall Elephantsfoot?: Bees and butterflies commonly visit the small tubular flowers for nectar during the summer bloom period.
How much light and water does this plant need?: Tall Elephantsfoot does best in part sun with medium moisture, though it can tolerate drier, sunnier sites once established.
What does Tall Elephantsfoot look like when not blooming?: Outside of bloom, it forms a low rosette of broad, hairy, dark green leaves that lie close to the ground.
What kind of habitat suits this plant best?: It grows well in open pine flatwoods, sandy fields, and roadside clearings with well-drained soil and full to partial sun.
Is Tall Elephantsfoot HOA-friendly?: Tall 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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Tall Elephantsfoot? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz