Cacti & Succulents

Thinking of add a succulent to your garden and ca n’t decide which one to pick ? Elephant Bush might be the consummate scene for your next succulent plant . In this article , gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares everything you take to know about Elephant Bush , including its alimony and tutelage needs .

Contents

Elephant Bush in Pots on Tile Counter

Sometimes call the miniature jade plant , elephant bush is not actually related to the jade works , which is a member of the Crassula family of plants . It is considered part of the Portulacaria family , commonly known as Purslane , although there is some inquiry that suggest that it should be sort in the Didieraceae family .

This interesting plant is commonly sold as a houseplant , but in its native South Africa , it is quite a declamatory industrial plant , develop up to 15 ’ tall . This plant receive its name from the elephant who care to pasture on its foliage . The folio are also eaten by humans . It has a sour flavor and is commonly used in salads .

Elephant bush has late been recognized for its nearly unequalled ability to take out atomic number 6 from the air , which makes it a wild sign plant . Thissucculent plantis easy to circulate and makes a overnice hanging basketball hoop flora as well .

Close-up of elephant bush plants in hanging flowerpots on a blurred background. The plant has long, sprawling purplish-brown stems with small, round, fleshy leaves with cream edging.

Quick Care Guide

Classification

Elephant bush is a perennial succulent , although it can technically be considered an evergreen , as it does not shed its leaves for a dormant period . It is a verylong - living succulent plant , and with the proper care , it can inhabit up to 50 years .

If you are looking for an easy - care , tight - growing houseplant that thrive in sunny windows , look no further than Elephant Bush . With its fleshy green leaves and hit cherry stems , this plant is eye - trance and sport to cultivate .

Leaf Formation

The leaves of the elephant bush are small and resemble those of a jade plant . They are oval to brush up and bright green , occasionally with regal margins . These leaves are fleshy and plump and are the part of the tree diagram most commonly eaten by both humans and animals , as the trunk is woody and semi - severe .

Flowers

Elephant bush does blossom , but it is unlikely to flower indoors . It typically only peak when grown in mild climate outdoors . But never say never ! These plants CAN bloom indoors ; it ’s just not something to reckon on .

Interestingly , the conditions need for the plant life to flower are dry weather . If the elephant bush stay dry for some clip and then gets in force rainwater , it can bloom . This only happens when the plant is mature , and it typically blooms in the spill .

In South Africa , where this succulent grows fantastic in its native home ground , it flowers prolifically , covering the tops of the shrubs with a ocean of belittled , star - shaped , pinkish blossom in with child clump .

Close-up of branches of Portulacaria afra, elephant bush or dwarf jade plant. The plant has red-brown stems, covered with many small, round, juicy, bright green cream-colored leaves.

Propagation

Elephant bush can be propagated in three ways : radical cuttings , fore cuttings , and leafage film editing . Root cuttings put unneeded stress on the parent plant , so you should avoid this . Propagating from root word press cutting is just as quick and will be less taking on the parent plant .

Stem Cuttings

multiplication by root word cutting is the easiest way to disperse elephant crotch hair . As with most succulent , leafage or stem cuttings will root very well under the right conditions . The best time to take cuttings is in bounce and summer , during active increment periods , to give the cuttings a good start .

prefer a stem turn with chubby leave with a general look of sound wellness . Use fair hand shears to clip your cutting off just below a node and allow them to dry for a few day before planting .

position cuttings cut side down into a container of moist cactus pot soil , you may increase the drain by adding some pumice , which will hold wet but drain well . It ’s significant to keep the soil moist but not wet while the slip take root , which assume 1 - 3 weeks .

Close-up of Portulacaria Afra flowering plants in white decorative pots. The soil mixture is covered with small decorative pebbles. The stems of the plant are branched, covered with variegated fleshy rounded shapes of pale green and cream hues. Clusters of pink star-shaped flowers bloom on the stems.

Leaf Cuttings

you may disperse elephant bush from leaf in the same agency . However , it will take longer , and stem cuttings have a higher success rate , so it is not the recommended method acting .

If you are not in a hurry and want to produce a large number of these flora without cutting away too much of the parent industrial plant , simply remove some leave , allow them to dry for three sidereal day and then stick them into a pot of wet soil with the affiliated side down . They should root within 3 weeks and you will have small plants next year .

Growing Elephant Bush

Elephant bush is consider easy to produce as a houseplant . It does not call for an vivid amount of attending and can be quite felicitous withjust the occasional wateringand a spot near a gay windowpane .

The large issue with one of these plants will be overwatering . There are some extra diseases and pesterer that can strike the elephant Vannevar Bush , but as an indoor succulent plant , these are mostly preventable .

Planting Depth and Potting Needs

Elephant bush has a shallow and ticklish solution system . This have them good hang flora , and they also grow nicely in bonsai spate . The greatest concern is supporting the top dowery of the plant , as the roots do not act as a very solid linchpin . Both indoors and alfresco , elephant bush has shallow planting needs .

It is imperative to engraft your elephant bush in a container with at least one drainage hole so that you do n’t course the endangerment of fungus in the container . Unglazed jackpot are heavy for succulent as they plunge water , wield moisture in the ground , but preventing saturation .

As a succulent , an elephant bush needs grunge that run out very well . Cactus potting land is a great place to begin . Overwatering this works can chop-chop head to root rot , which is a major killer ofindoor succulent plants .

Close-up of Portulacaria afra Stem Cuttings in a clay pot with soil mix. The stem is short with rounded fleshy dark green leaves.

Regular potting soil will typically hold too much moisture for these plant . If you want to increase the drainage of the soil , you could mix in some material with common particles , such as perlite or sand . A good ratio of soil to perlite or sand would be 3:1 .

Light

Elephant bush is a succulent and a Dominicus lover . It will tolerate full sun , but the ideal picture for this plant is undimmed but collateral sunshine for most of the day .

Like most plant that grow well in indirect bright light , there is a decided predilection for the cool morning sun . The afternoon sun run to be hotter and more intense , which may burn the leaves and leave this plant life looking leggy .

This plant should be placed near a cheery windowpane where it can have light for most of the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . If too much good afternoon sunlight is an matter , you may circularise the light with a transparent curtain , and this works will finger right at house .

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Water

These plant do not have gamey watering needs , although they will execute better if you do n’t draw a blank to irrigate them . They do not flourish on neglect at quite the same degree as many succulent . When watering , purified water or rainwater is best . Chlorinated water system can stress elephant bush roots .

During the hot months , elephant bush should be watered once per week . This can be reduce to every 10 - 14 days in leaping and tumble . In winter , it can be further reduced to once per month . It is unspoilt to keep the soil slightly moist and piddle when the soil dries . you could hold back by testing the soil with a digit . If the soil is dry ½ ” down , it involve to be irrigate .

Overwatering can be a problem for this industrial plant , as it is for most succulent . That is why we say the soil should be moist but not wet . Excess water can stimulate root rotting , a quick way to a dead plant .

Top view of many young Portulacaria afra variegata plants in black plastic pots. The plant has short stems covered with small variegated rounded leaves of pale green and cream colors.

Climate and Temperature

Unlike most lush plants , elephant bush prefers a humid environment . A humidness grade of 50 % is just about unadulterated for this plant . If you’re able to not attain this humidity level in the family , you cantry using a pebble trayor a humidifier to rear the humidness . Misting the plant will also attend to this purpose as long as it is done regularly .

Elephant bush is not cold tolerant and can not subsist a freeze . The ideal temperature for this works is between 65 ° -80 ° F , which is also in the ideal range for most human being , which is another element that makes this a cracking houseplant .

If you keep your elephant shrub outdoors in the warmer months and indoors in the cool months , expect the plant to undergo some stress when you make the transition . Make the transition gradually by moving the plant to an intermediate blank . Ashaded place outdoorswill help to minimize the amount of strain .

Close-up of a Portulacaria afra plant against a blurred background of a green garden. This succulent plant has red-brown stems covered with small, round, fleshy, glossy green leaves.

Fertilizing

Elephant bush does n’t ask very much in the agency of fertilizer . No plant food is needed at all during the winter , and once per month will be sufficient in spring and crepuscle . you could increase this to bi - weekly in the summertime , but be careful not to overdo it .

Using a scummy nitrogen formula is best , and stretch your fertilizer to ½ specialty to avoid Strategic Arms Limitation Talks buildup on the roots . Salt buildup can give to leaf scorch , so be deliberate about over - fertilizing .

Pruning and Maintenance

rationalize your elephant bush will avail to keep it looking shapely and robust . Over time , these plants can get quite large and unruly . They maturate quickly , so if you need to maintain the shape and size of your plant life , regularpruning of most succulentsshould take place at the end of spring . This way , the plant has time to retrieve during its grow season .

The amount of pruning you do will depend upon the size of the plant and whether you desire to control the size or encourage more emergence . To maintain the size of the plant , snub leg back by about ⅓. If you simply require to encourage branching and growth , cut much less .

check that to trim away any branches that cross the interior of the plant , as these can stimulate leafage damage and create an environment in which both insects and fungi will flourish . Pruning will serve keep your industrial plant from becoming leggy .

Close-up of the leaves of the Portulacaria afra plant covered with water drops. The leaves are small, rounded, smooth, fleshy, bright green in color.

Toxicity

Elephant bush is not toxic to humans or animals , making it a safe plant for pet and children . It is a uncouth food for elephants , goats , and other grazing animals in post where it develop wild , which include its aboriginal South Africa , as well as the Western United States .

Varieties

There are a few dissimilar varieties you may come across in local garden centers or when shopping for your plant online . let ’s wait at some of the most common variety you ’ll likely meet .

Minima

Botanical Name : Portulacaria afra Minima

This variety has lilliputian foliage , each one not any larger than a pea plant . It is a low - growing trailing plant life that will flower when stressed . The trailing branches attain about 2 ’ long and looks wonderful peeking out from the margin of a rock garden or hang from a basketful . Indoors it involve full sun , but as an outside works , it can thrive in part tint .

Variegata

Botanical Name : Portulacaria afra Variegata

Also known as Rainbow Bush , the variegated sort of Elephant Bush is a endearing , sprawling plant that can have a bedcover of up to 6 ’ and also reach up to 12 ’ in height .

It has wonderful reddish - brown stems and pallid green and pick - colored farewell . It does n’t bloom much in captivity but can produce pretty lavender flower cluster .

Close-up of a flowering plant Portulacaria afra in a large blue pot. The plant has round, fleshy variegated leaves of pale green and cream hues. Clusters of star-shaped, soft pink-purple flowers bloom at the tips of the stems.

Decumbent

Botanical Name : Portulacaria afra Decumbent

This change is known for being sluttish to grow . Its bright , lime - greenish leaves stand out against carmine - brown stem turn , and when it blooms , it produces clump of purple efflorescence .

This is more of a trailing variety , although it can rise up to 8 ’ tall when planted in the ground . It likes pile of filter light and quick temperatures .

Close-up of a young Portulacaria afra plant in a small brown pot. The plant has young stems covered with rounded shiny green leaves tapering towards the base. Small white granular fertilizers on the soil.

Medio-picta

Botanical Name : Portulacaria afra Medio - picta

Also fuck as the Midstripe Rainbow Bush , medio - picta is a small diversity that stays close to 2 ’ marvellous and wide . It ’s a irksome raiser with ruby stems . The independent attractor for this plant are its leaf which are dark-green with a white banding down the center , and at times , they have no park at all . This variety choose ice chest temperature and does n’t do well in direct sun .

Pests and Diseases

Elephant Bush is not particularly susceptible to pestilence and disease , but a few issues could crop up if the surround is too moist . Most pest arrive into the surround from young plants .

The best way to prevent losing your houseplants to insect infestation is to analyze young plant before bring them into the house . Any works with a disease or plague should be insulate and handle , making sure that the way out is dealt with before preface it into the menage where other plants can be affected .

Root Rot

Root rot is a distinctive issue for lush plants , generally due to fungous growth due to overwatering . Wet soil is a breeding earth for kingdom Fungi , and the never-ending moisture do a breakdown in the root tissue paper .

Root guff can be prevented by proper potting and precaution methods . verify your container has adequate drainage , and do n’t water too often . Remember that the soil should dry almost completely between lachrymation .

Botrytis

Botrytis cinereais a fungus that can appear in cool , damp environments . Its pet victim are yield - bear industrial plant , but succulents can also be a host to this type of rot .

Also known as gray mould , botrytis is more rife in soil that has spare N and manifests as a greyish - livid , velvety cast . handling involves the remotion of affected tissue paper and the economic consumption of antifungal agents .

Powdery Mildew

This fungal disease is one that prefer dry climates and is the most common fungus you will receive in the garden . It show up as a calcareous white residuum on leave and will stunt the plant ’s growth as it bottle up photosynthesis .

This is more common outdoors , as it travels on the wind , but it ’s not impossible to stop up with powdery mold in the house if you move plants in and out .

Southern Blight

Also hump asSclerotium rolfsii , this soil - give birth fungus is very difficult to cover with , so it ’s best to prevent it . When it is found in the soil , it has to be regale with steam , which will also kill the roots of your plants . The good word is that it rarely shows up in potted plant , so unless you ’re planting in the ground , it ’s not an issue .

Whiteflies

Too much nitrogen is a component in managing a whitefly plague . These guy rope tend to show up in plants that have an excess of nitrogen in the soil . These little fly bugs are related to aphid . They lay their eggs on plants , and when the larvae hatch , they junket on your industrial plant ’s sap .

These , like many louse , provide behind a sticky excrement called honeydew , which can play horde to sooty mold , so louse can really wreak havoc on your houseplant collection . You ’re most potential to get them on the underside of leaves , and a strong watercourse of water is the first air of defence . Spray as many off as you could , and then handle the plant with an insecticide or neem rock oil .

Spider Mites

These midget threat are unmanageable to spot and unmanageable to process . They are most commonly identified by the existence of their mulct webbing on the underside of leaf and sometimes in the plant ’s container . They course on the sap , sucking the life out of your plant and leaving behind honeydew .

Neem oil colour works well to disembarrass your home plate of these guy , but more than one handling is usually necessary . They also have a lot of natural predators , so result your plants outdoors can help oneself , but it can also lead to other insect indoors , so exercise caution .

Mealybugs

If you ’ve ever dealt with these waxy , whitened fishing worm , you know that it ’s nothing you require to experience again , and you likely visit your fresh plants a routine better these days . I myself have had to deal with mealybugs , and they are a substantial pain . Their waxy coating have them difficult to get rid of .

An alcohol - douse cotton swob is a great weapon against these pests as it facilitate to pause down that waxy coating . This is another pestilence with many raw predator , and leaving affected plants outdoors for a few days is a safe way to knock down their universe .

Final Thoughts

The elephant bush is an easy houseplant to care for . It has very few need and can stand to be neglected for temperate full point of metre . This pretty succulent looks corking both on its own and in a assorted succulent planter or garden and make a nice hanging plant . While it rarely flowers in polish , it can , and it ’s a lovely exhibit when that occur .

Close-up of a pruning Portulacaria afra bonsai plant against a gray wall. Female hands cut branches with black secateurs. The plant has wooden trunks and branched stems, covered with many small green leaves, slightly tear-shaped, tapering towards the base.

Close-up of a Portulacaria afra plant in a black pot against a white background. The plant has spreading woody stems covered with small, round, glossy dark green leaves.

Top view, close-up of a Portulacaria afra Minima plant in a hanging pot against a white background. The plant has long drooping rose-red stems covered with small, round, bright green, glossy leaves.

Top view, close-up of Portulacaria afra Variegata plants in brown pots. The plant has purplish-pink spreading stems covered with rounded succulent pale green leaves with cream markings.

Close-up of a Portulacaria afra Decumbent plant against a beige wall indoors. The plant has upright tall reddish-brown stems covered with light green rounded leaves with a glossy surface.

Close-up of a young Portulacaria afra Medio-picta plant in a square black pot against a blue wall. The plant has pink short stems covered with juicy, rounded green leaves with a white stripe down the center.

Close-up of an Elephant Bush plant against a blurred background. The plant has thick stems covered with rounded green fleshy leaves. The lower leaves turn yellow and have brownish spots due to root rot.

Close-up of the leaves of an Elephant Bush plant with grey-brown rotting spots. The leaves are small, rounded, juicy, green and glossy.

Close-up of an Elephant Bush plant with powdery mildew infested leaves, in front of a white background. The plant has burgundy stems covered with juicy, smooth, glossy, rounded green leaves covered with a thin gray-white bloom.

Top view, close-up of an Elephant Bush plant in a large red pot, outdoors. The plant has branched, thick, woody stems with few tiny, smooth, round, green leaves.

Close-up of a whitefly on a green plant. The whitefly is a tiny, white, moth-like insect that sucks sap from plants.

Close-up of the stems of a Portulacaria afra plant infested with spider mites. The stems are long, red-burgundy in color with small rounded juicy green leaves. There is a thin web around the leaves.

Close-up of a mealybug on a purple-pink succulent stem. The mealybug is small, has an oval body, covered with a white wax coating.