Plant Lust
ShopOrderSellblog
0

  • Plant types

  • Plant styles

  • Planting conditions

  • Seasonal interest

  • Nurseries & Gardens

    • Photo of Dioscorea mexicana by plant lust

    Photo by plant lust

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

    Show all photos

    Dioscorea mexicana

    Also Known As

    • Dioscorea macrostachya
    • Elephant's Foot
    • Mexican Yam

    Plant type

    perennial, vine, bulb / corm / tuber

    size

    • H: 12'
    • W: 3'

    planting zones

    • 9a-11

    More Options

    Dioscorea mexicana plant details

    Dioscorea mexicana is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber or vine with green foliage. In summer green flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - bright shade and regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Dioscorea mexicana

    Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber or vine
    Plant family: dioscoreaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 0 IN - 3 FT - wide, 0 IN - 12 FT - tall
    Flowers: green blooms in summer

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Dioscorea mexicana

    USDA Zones: 9a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - bright shade
    Watering frequency: regular
    Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    The "Turtle Plant." Forms tortoiseshell shaped caudex. Each "scute" on the tortoise shell grows taller with age. Forest dweller that sends deciduous vines up the trees around it to compete for sunlight. Keep dry in the winter when the vines fall off, but offer regular water in well draining soil during the growing season. Protect from full sun if you live near the equator like we do!

    By: Paradise Found Nursery

    Mexico; large caudex, long deciduous vines.

    By: Cactus Jungle

    Scheidw. Formerly D. macrostachya. Native to Mexico and resembles D. elephantipes. Grows to 1m wide.

    By: Rare Plant Research

    Gardening facts about Dioscorea mexicana plant

    How to Grow Dioscorea mexicana

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - bright shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • green

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    Landscape groups by tags

    See other plant types of Dioscorea for your garden

    Dioscorea elephantipes

    aka Elephant's Foot, Hottentot Bread

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Vine, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 12"-36"

    Width: 12"

    • sun - bright shade
    • low
    • dry when dormant
    Photo of Dioscorea elephantipes form by plant lust
    View Plant

    More Options

    Dioscorea villosa

    aka Dioscorea paniculata, Wild Yam

    Plant Type

    Vine, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 6'-30'

    Width: 2'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular
    Photo of Dioscorea villosa flower, foliage by H. Zell
    View Plant

    More Options

    Dioscorea sylvatica

    aka Elephant's Foot, Wild Yam

    Plant Type

    Vine, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    10a-12

    Size

    Height: 6'-14'

    Width: 1'-15'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular
    • dry in winter
    • dry when dormant
    Photo of Dioscorea sylvatica form by Martin Heigan
    View Plant

    More Options

    Dioscorea polystachya

    aka Dioscorea batatas, Air Potato Vine, Chinese Yam

    Plant Type

    Vine, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    6a-11

    Size

    Height: 10'-20'

    Width: 5'-15'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Dioscorea polystachya fruit by Alan Lorence
    View Plant

    More Options

    Dioscorea dodecaneura

    aka Dioscorea discolor, Ornamental Yam, Variegated Monkey Ball Vine

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Vine, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 12'

    Width: 6'

    • bright shade - dappled shade
    • regular
    Photo of Dioscorea dodecaneura foliage by Almost Eden
    View Plant

    More Options

    +5 more Dioscorea
    Mailing List
    Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

    © 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved