Elephant bushes are simple to grow from cuttings, just like the majority of succulents. For optimal results, take cuttings in the spring or summer. Plant the cutting in a small container of moist, rocky soil after allowing it to callus for a few days.
Place the cutting in a room with a reasonable amount of light and a temperature of at least 65 °F (18 C.). Maintaining a light moisture level in the soil will help the cutting to take root and grow into a new elephant bush succulent that you can give to a friend or add to your collection in a few weeks.
Does elephant bush expand quickly?
A popular indoor plant, the elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) is a succulent that may grow outside in warm areas.
South Africa is home to the semi-evergreen shrubby blooming succulent known as elephant bush (Portulacaria afra). Elephant bush naturally grows in arid, sunny climates. Elephant bush is a drought-resistant shrub that thrives in dry, desert-like conditions.
USDA zones 10 and 11 are favorable for Portulacaria, or elephant bush plants. Small elephant bush plants cannot withstand cold temperatures, despite the fact that Portulacaria afra shrubs may tolerate mild frost. Low temperatures, below 30F (-1C), harm and even kill plants.
Elephant bush is a shrub-like plant or small tree that, under the right circumstances, can reach heights of 8 to 15 feet (2.5 to 4.5 meters). However, elephant bush stems only reach a height of a few feet when grown as a succulent in a pot indoors. The succulents are perfect for growing in hanging baskets or on high shelves because of their trailing, green stalks.
Elephant bush is another succulent species with flowers. Portulacaria afra produces masses of star-shaped flowers in tight clusters when the conditions are ideal for growth. On the ends of stems, these pink or white blooms bloom. However, indoor elephant bush blooming is uncommon.
Elephants love to eat portulacaria afra, hence its popular name, “Elephant Bush.” Porkbush and spekboom are two additional common names.
Elephant bushes are also referred to as small jade plants because of their resemblance to jade plants (Crassula ovata). However, there is no connection between jade plants and elephant bushes. For instance, elephant bushes grow more quickly and are more resilient than jade succulent plants. Another distinction is that jade leaves (family Crassula) are slightly toxic, whereas elephant bush is an edible succulent.
The Crassula ovata in an image (jade plant). Although they are unrelated, the elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) and the jade plant are similar.
General Care for Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush
You should include Portulacaria afra in your indoor or outdoor succulent garden. Although it goes by the moniker “Miniature Jade,” this succulent is not linked to Crassula ovata. Additionally, there are tiny and striped varieties of elephant bush. The non-variegated variety can withstand more heat.
Watering
“Elephant Bush requires the same amount of water as other succulents do. You should utilize the “Use the “soak and dry” method, letting the soil to dry out in between waterings. When in dormancy, Portulacaria afra requires less frequent watering.
Portulacaria afra can withstand more frequent waterings than other succulents since its leaves are so thin.
Additionally, make sure to get our FREE watering cheat sheet to learn how to determine whether your succulents are receiving too much water (and how to save them if needed).
Where to Plant
Because Portulacaria afra is not cold hardy, it is advisable to grow this succulent in a container that can be moved indoors if you reside in a region that has temperatures below 30 F (1.7 C). It thrives in full to some sun. Plants should be placed in a garden area with six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Put it in a sunny window if you’re planting indoors. If not given enough sunshine, this succulent has a tendency to stretch readily, albeit the stretching is less obvious than with other succulents.
Cuttings
Use a sterilized, sharp knife or pair of scissors to propagate Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush from cuttings. Take a stem from the main plant and place it on well-draining soil after letting it callus for a few days. When the soil is fully dry, add water.
How often should an elephant bush be watered?
The Portulacaria Afra needs a succulent soil mixture that drains well. There shouldn’t be too much moisture in the mixture.
Use a pot with holes for drainage. Perlite is another option for your potting soil mixture. The correct airflow in the soil is made possible by perlite, hastening the drying process.
What are the Sunlight Requirements of the Elephant Bush?
Place your elephant bush where it receives some direct sunlight and some partial shade throughout the day.
The Portulacaria Afra or Elephant Bush requires at least six hours per day of direct sunlight. Avoid spending a lot of time in direct sunlight. Otherwise, keep in some shade.
Heat intolerance exists in the elephant bush in miniature. It might be more prone to sunburn than its larger sibling.
What is the Humidity Requirement of the Elephant Bush?
A succulent is not required by the elephant bush for humidity. It does well in humidity at room temperature.
The portulacaria afra needs average indoor humidity. Spraying it with water to wet it is not recommended because it can result in unreasonably high humidity levels.
How Should I Water the Elephant Bush?
Elephant bushes don’t store a lot of water because their leaves are thin. In the summer, it has to be watered once a week. In the winter or during the milder summer months, water it every 1.5 weeks.
Simply because the Portulacaria has thin leaves, don’t overwater it!
How to Fertilize the Elephant Bush?
Little fertilizer is required by the Elephant Bush. You can use the one designed for cacti. Give a drop each month from spring to fall, when the plants are actively growing.
In the winter, succulents scarcely need to be consumed. That is more akin to their free time. When it’s cold, water with fertilizer will make them unhappy!
How to Prune the Elephant Bush?
The Elephant Bush can be pruned for shape in addition to removing dead sections!
Before pruning, the Portulacaria Afra needs to be dry. Before you start pruning, make sure your knife is clean and sharp. Offsets and dead stems must be immediately cut.
The Elephant Bush plant can also be styled by pruning. Make cuts in the desired shapes for your Portulacaria Afra. You can even create a Bonsai tree in small size if you like!
You’ll need water and bleach. Pour some bleach into a 90 percent water solution. Before you cut the plant, thoroughly rinse your blade or knife in the mixture.
How to Repot the Elephant Bush?
The Elephant Bush takes a while to mature. Only when the plant outgrows its pot will you need to repot it. You shouldn’t water the Portulacaria Afra for at least seven days after repotting.
Sunlight Requirements: Light Shade to Full Sun
Portulacaria Afra can withstand full sun and requires a lot of bright light. The plant may initially need to adjust to full sun. Extreme heat may cause mild sunburn, but other from that, these plants can withstand the heat.
Indoor Lighting
Provide the plant with the strongest light imaginable if you’re caring for it inside. The best window to use is one that faces south, though east or west facing windows will also work. Before you discover the ideal location, you might need to move the plant a few times. The ideal amount of light for the plant is between 5 and 6 hours.
Consider utilizing a growlight to provide your plants with the lighting they require to grow properly if your area does not receive enough sunlight or your home has insufficient lighting, especially during the long, dark winter months. Here are some suggestions for growlights that might be useful.
Check out my post on “Proper Lighting for Succulents Indoors” for more information on this subject and to get some useful advice.
Outdoor Sunlight Requirements
Elephant Bush, or Portulacaria Afra, thrives in locations with lots of sunlight. Although they can handle both partial and full sun, they favor bright, filtered light. They must become accustomed to the full sun otherwise the leaves would burn.
Place in a bright, sunny area if maintained outside. To reduce the risk of sunburn or other sun damage, it is preferable to acclimatize the plant first before bringing it outdoors or increasing the quantity of sunshine it receives. Increase the amount of sunshine it gets gradually until it is used to the sun completely. Remember that even if a plant is accustomed to full sun, it is still possible for it to get sunburned during a heat wave or other periods of extreme heat.
In Northern California, where summertime temperatures can exceed 100F or 37.8C, sunshades are a genuine lifesaver for my plants. Here are a few sunshades and sun protection ideas I have.
Please see my post “How Much Sunshine Do Succulents Need Outdoors? for more information and handy tips on outdoor sunlight requirements.
Frost Tolerance
As long as they are not sustained for an extended period of time, Portulacaria Afra can withstand light frost and freezing temperatures. You can leave the plant outside all year long and even plant it in the ground if you reside in one of USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11. The ideal approach to cultivate these plants is in containers, especially if your area experiences harsh winters. In winter or when snow or frost is predicted, you can then bring them inside.
There are methods for shielding plants from frost or freezing temperatures if you are unable to bring them inside for any reason. To assist them through the harsh winter, you can use frost cloths or tiny greenhouses. Here are a few of my suggestions for preventing frost.
Elephant bush seeds can I plant outside?
Cool tiny elephant bush can let you get into the succulent obsession. In South Africa, elephants love eating elephant bush, which lives up to its name. If you reside in a warm climate with sporadic lows of no lower than 30 degrees Fahrenheit, you can grow it outdoors. Elephant bush is a low-maintenance indoor plant that can be grown if you reside in a cooler region.
The distinctive reddish-brown stems of this drought-tolerant jade plant clone contrast exquisitely with the glossy, spherical, variegated, 3/4-inch succulent leaves. It grows slowly, but as the stalks ripen, they become thicker, giving the plant an aged appearance even when it is young. Elephant bushes are ideal for growing in hanging baskets because of their somewhat expansive or cascading habits. It can slowly develop to a height of several feet when planted in the ground, and because it is evergreen, it can be used as a screen or hedge.
Do I need to trim my elephant bush?
If the branches of this plant are not clipped, they will develop into unkempt brush. Because of this, pruning is a crucial component of elephant bush maintenance. The elephant bush in your garden will stay in top condition with regular pruning.
- Elephant Bush should be pruned to achieve the correct shape. Some people favor pruning bonsai.
- Removing leaves that are broken or dead.
- Get rid of any dead branches.
- Plant parts with illness should be cut off and disposed of completely away from the plant.
My elephant bush is withering; why?
Overwatering is the main reason why Elephant Bush loses leaves. Too much water makes it difficult to breathe, which promotes the growth of fungus-related disorders. Swollen and discolored leaves are the first symptom of overwatering. Simply replant your Elephant Bush in new soil and pull out any decaying roots if you notice these changes in it.
Another indication of underwatering is leaf drop. Elephant Bush leaves might dry out and finally fall off if they don’t get enough water. In the summer, you should water your elephant bush frequently, and in the cooler months, you should water it less frequently. Use the “soak and dry approach,” as you can with the majority of other succulents, and you won’t go wrong. To prevent the leaves from shriveling in the winter, you should only apply a few drops of water.
My elephant plant is dying; why?
Elephant ear plants offer beauty and lushness to your yard or house, and, if you know what they enjoy, they may be rather simple to care for.
Because it is not receiving enough water, light, or nutrients, your elephant ear plant is dying. If I’m grown in an improper climate, I can likewise perish. The roots not receiving enough room is one of the other causes. Or perhaps pests and diseases are attacking the plant.
If your elephant ear plant isn’t looking so good right now, don’t give up. I’ll cover everything you need to know in this essay to restore it to its previous splendor.
How old is an elephant bush?
Sun burn is caused by receiving too much sunlight, and its symptoms usually include crispy or browning leaves, dry leaf edges, sunken leaves, or stunted growth. Although too much light will lead to overwatering problems, too little light will also harm the plant. Reduce the quantity of sun exposure significantly if yours has fallen short of this, and always be cautious of environmental shock (when two locations offer too different growing conditions). Eliminate some of the harmed leaves and slightly raise the water level.
On the other hand, specimens kept in overly dark conditions with extended soil wetness frequently get root rot. Rapid leaf browning, moldy soil, stunted development, and a rotten brown base are all symptoms. Examine the plant’s health below the compost line after removing it from the pot. You’re okay to go if the roots have a yellow tint, but you need to take fast action with brown and mushy roots. On this link, you may learn more about treating root rot.
Regularly clean the leaves. Although it’s not a big deal, a buildup of dust particles might clog the plant’s pores and reduce its ability to absorb light. In order to maintain low levels and enhance growing circumstances, rinse the topsides of the leaves once every month.
Never let the temperature drop below 10°C (50°F), since this may do irreparable harm to things like yellow foliage and decreased health. Never cut through softened yellow or brown growth when this happens; instead, remove the badly impacted sections and quickly correct the growing environment. Because of its slow growth, rehabilitation might take many months. To shorten this time, make sure to give the plant a stable place with improved growing conditions.
Several different factors could be the cause of unsuccessful leaf-cuttings. Elephant Bushes are best propagated in the spring when they are at their busiest, thus cuttings obtained then may root considerably more slowly and may even die in the interim. Check the surroundings to see if there is enough light to read a newspaper. If not, increase the amount of indirect sunlight it receives to improve the growing conditions. Never place the cuttings in the sun; doing so will cause severe dehydration and almost certainly death. Its success will also be significantly influenced by its overall size. There must be no obvious signs of damage or cuts, and the total height must be greater than 8cm. Smaller specimens won’t root properly since the stems have less energy stored in them. If the leaves are grown hydroponically, the water should be changed every week to reduce the chance of germs growing in the container. In order to prevent nasty infections from spreading to unaffected specimens, yellow or brown parts that are progressively withering away must also be eliminated. Those who are submerged immediately in cold water will also display signs of distress. Make sure to use a well-draining potting mix with the appropriate quantity of sand and grit if you’re interested in propagating via soil. The likelihood of roots developing will be drastically reduced if they are planted too deeply or in soil that is too wet.
Despite its slow rate of growth, Portulacaria can be easily shaped into a bonsai after years of cultivation.
Over ten species make up the genus Portulacaria, which has its natural distribution in Southern Africa. Its name is derived from the Latin word portula, which means “door” and relates to the fruit’s opening lid. Caria, which refers to the resemblance of the species Portulaca, means “related to.” The name of the species, afra, is a particular derogatory term for the continent of Africa. The sour-tasting leaf is a favorite food source for a variety of species, including elephants and ostriches. The species’ leaves, which are used in salads and soups, are also regarded as a local delicacy.
Temperature
H1b (Hardiness Zone 12) – Can be grown outside in the summer in a protected place with temperatures above 12C (54F), but is also acceptable to stay indoors. Avoid exposing this plant to direct sunlight if you decide to take it outside because it could cause sunburn and dehydration. Watch out for bugs frequently, especially while bringing it back inside.
Spread
if replanted every other year, up to 1.5m in width and 2m in height. The final height will take 5 to 10 years to reach, but with the correct care, it may live for 20 years or longer.
Pruning
To promote healthier growing conditions, remove yellow or decaying leaves as well as any plant detritus. Always use clean shears or tools when pruning to lower the risk of bacterial and fungal infections. Never cut through yellowed tissue as this could lead to severe harm from bacterial infections or other disorders. To avoid shocking the plant and resulting in decreased growth and a decline in health, always create clean incisions.
Propagation
Stem Cuttings (Easy): Cut a 5 cm (2 inch) chunk from the end of the stem using a pair of clean scissors. Use a component that is brand new, undamaged, and free of pests because unhealthy divisions are more likely to fail. To hasten the development of roots, remove the elder half of the leaves, leaving the lowest third of the stem naked. Purchase some “Cactus & Succulent” compost, then put the cutting’s base vertically into the ground to prevent soil from getting on the real leaf. Place the cutting in an area that is indirect, light, and has temps over 18C. (64F). Once there are indications of new foliar development, remove the bag and treat the plant as an adult specimen because the roots will grow first.
Flowers
Mid-summer, mature specimens can produce tiny clusters of 2mm-wide, pink or white-scented blooms that can persist up to a few weeks. Due to the unfavorable growing circumstances and lengthy maturation period, elephant bushes won’t bloom in a home environment for many years.
Repotting
Every two to three years, repot your plants in the spring using ‘Cactus & Succulent’ potting soil and the next-largest pot with drainage. Checking the health of the roots and, if desired, propagation can also be done now. Check the lower part of the root ball for any discolored or damaged root caps as Elephant Bushes are susceptible to root rot. If so, use clean tools to remove the damaged parts and gradually reduce the irrigations. For additional information on how to perform the ideal transplant, go on this page.
If you’d want a customized tutorial on repotting your houseplant, schedule a 1-on-1 video session with Joe Bagley. The appropriate branded-compost and pot size will be suggested, and a live video call will be made while you transplant the specimen to provide step-by-step instructions and address any other questions.