Portulacaria afra is an attractive, evergreen succulent shrub or small tree that can reach 2 - 5 m in height, although usually around 1.5 - 2 m in a garden situation. It has small round succulent leaves and red stems. Small star-shaped pink flowers are borne en masse from late winter to spring although flowering in cultivation is often erratic. They are a rich source of nectar for many insects, which in-turn attracts insectivorous birds.
How to Grow and Care
Soil: Because Elephant Bush belongs to a succulent plant, Portulacaria Afra or Elephant Bush requires well-draining soil. Use a mixture of cactus potting mix with perlite for better drainage. To grow elephant bush you need drainage holes with the pot.
The ratio should be 2:1 blend of cactus mix and perlite. You can also use sandy soil that works well too. Mixing cactus mix or potting soil with coarse sand with a 2:1 ratio will do just fine.
Light: Portulacaria Afra requires much amount of bright sunlight. The plant can also tolerate full sun. You may need to adapt the plant to full sun gradually. Under extreme heatwave, mild sunburn may be expected. If not, the plant can handle the heat.
Watering:
“Elephant Bush” has typical watering needs for a succulent. It’s best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Portulacaria afra needs less frequent watering during its dormancy period.
Because the leaves on Portulacaria afra are so thin, it can handle more frequent waterings than other succulents.
Origin: Portulacaria afra is native to South Africa (Cape Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Transvaal) and Swaziland.
Hardiness:
Hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Propagation
Like most succulents, elephant bush is easy to reproduce from cuttings. Take cuttings in spring or summer for best results. Let the cutting dry out and callous for a couple of days and then plant the cutting in damp gritty soil in a small pot. Place the cutting in a moderately lit area where temperatures are at least 65 F (18 C). Keep the soil lightly moist and in a few weeks the cutting will root and you will have a new elephant bush succulent to share with a friend or add to your collection.
- Scientific name: Portulacaria afra Jacq.
- Common names: Purslane tree, Miniature jade plant, Dwarf jade plant, Elephant's food, Elephant bush, Pork Bush, Miniature Jade, African Purslane-tree
- Synonyms: Crassula portulacaria
- Subfamily: Portulacarioideae
- Family: Didiereaceae
- Genus: Portulacaria
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| source pic: pinterest.com |
How to Grow and Care
Soil: Because Elephant Bush belongs to a succulent plant, Portulacaria Afra or Elephant Bush requires well-draining soil. Use a mixture of cactus potting mix with perlite for better drainage. To grow elephant bush you need drainage holes with the pot.
The ratio should be 2:1 blend of cactus mix and perlite. You can also use sandy soil that works well too. Mixing cactus mix or potting soil with coarse sand with a 2:1 ratio will do just fine.
Light: Portulacaria Afra requires much amount of bright sunlight. The plant can also tolerate full sun. You may need to adapt the plant to full sun gradually. Under extreme heatwave, mild sunburn may be expected. If not, the plant can handle the heat.
Watering:
“Elephant Bush” has typical watering needs for a succulent. It’s best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Portulacaria afra needs less frequent watering during its dormancy period.
Because the leaves on Portulacaria afra are so thin, it can handle more frequent waterings than other succulents.
Origin: Portulacaria afra is native to South Africa (Cape Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Transvaal) and Swaziland.
Hardiness:
Hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Propagation
Like most succulents, elephant bush is easy to reproduce from cuttings. Take cuttings in spring or summer for best results. Let the cutting dry out and callous for a couple of days and then plant the cutting in damp gritty soil in a small pot. Place the cutting in a moderately lit area where temperatures are at least 65 F (18 C). Keep the soil lightly moist and in a few weeks the cutting will root and you will have a new elephant bush succulent to share with a friend or add to your collection.
 |
| source pic: pinterest.com |
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