Succulent Elephant Bush
Botanical Name: Portulacaria afra
Common Name(s): Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant, Miniature Jade, Baby Jade, Succulent Elephant Bush
The Succulent Elephant Bush is a hardy and highly adaptable succulent native to South Africa. It's a popular plant for both beginners and experienced gardeners due to its easy-care nature, attractive appearance, and versatile growth habit. The plant is often referred to as the "Elephant Bush" because of its thick, fleshy stems, which resemble the trunk of an elephant, especially as it grows larger.
This succulent has small, round, fleshy green leaves that grow densely along its woody stems, giving it a bushy, tree-like appearance when mature. The leaves are a vibrant, light green, sometimes with a slight red tint on the edges when grown in bright light or stressed conditions. It can also produce small, star-shaped pink or white flowers in the late spring or early summer, though it is more commonly grown for its attractive foliage.
This succulent is a slow-growing, drought-tolerant plant that can be grown indoors as a houseplant or outdoors in warmer climates (USDA Zones 10–11). It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight but can also tolerate direct sunlight, making it ideal for windowsills or sunrooms. Outdoors, it can handle full sun in hot climates but may need some afternoon shade in extremely hot areas to avoid leaf burn.
As a succulent, the Elephant Bush has the ability to store water in its fleshy leaves and stems, so it doesn’t need to be watered frequently. This plant does best in well-draining, sandy, or cactus-type soil that mimics its natural habitat. The Succulent Elephant Bush is highly tolerant of heat and dry conditions, making it an excellent choice for a low-maintenance plant in drought-prone areas or for anyone looking for a hardy succulent that can thrive with minimal care. This plant can be pruned to maintain a desired shape or size, and pruning also encourages branching, making the plant fuller and bushier.
In warmer climates, the Elephant Bush can grow into a small shrub or even a small tree, reaching heights of 3–6 feet (1–2 meters). When grown indoors or in smaller containers, it remains more compact, making it ideal for windowsills, desks, or other small spaces.
Note: The Succulent Elephant Bush is non-toxic to pets, making it a safe option for homes with cats and dogs.
Care Insights & Expert Tips
- Propagate as needed: It can be propagated by stem cuttings or leaf cuttings only when necessary. Allow the cut end to callus for 1-2 days before planting it in well-draining soil.
- Watch for Pests: Watch out for mealybugs and scale insects, which can infest Elephant Bush plants.
- Fertilize sparingly: Feed your plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once or twice a year during the growing season.
- Care for winter: During winter, reduce watering and move the plant to a cooler, brighter location.

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