See to that the plant is watered thoroughly when watered. ( Log Out /  When it blooms, you will enjoy pink-orange flowers. Portulacaria afra, commonly known as Elephant Bush, is a succulent with fleshy, glossy leaves that grows as a small bush. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. They have reddish-brown stems with glossy green leaves. In the home interior, it is much more likely to remain just a few feet tall. The non-variegated form is more heat tolerant. Luckily, it’s a bonsai plant that has plenty of alternatives (elephant bush, porkbush, dwarf jade plant, and spekboom, in Afrikaans, just to name a few! Growing elephant ears is actually pretty easy, even in winter. The elephant bush is a bush-like succulent plant that grows in a variety of sizes depending on its environment. The plant's leaves and stems contain oxalic acid, which can cause serious illness in children or pets. Bonsai care, pruning and notes for portulacaria afra “elephant bush”, “dwarf jade plant” Portulacaria afra tree is relatively new to bonsai in the west. The home interior is an excellent place to grow elephant bush houseplants. Portulacaria afra, commonly known as Elephant Bush or Elephant Food, is known and used around the world as a succulent garden shrub and as a bonsai subject.It is a perfect addition to your indoor or outdoor succulent garden.It is also known as Dwarf Jade or Miniature Jade, but it is not related to Crassula ovata.The leaves are small, rounded, green to yellowish, and succulent, held on red stems. Propagating Jade Plants - How To Root Jade Plant Cuttings, Rainbow Bush Info: How To Grow A Variegated Elephant Bush, Black Spots On Jade Plant: Reasons A Jade Plant Has Black Spots, Bishop’s Cap Cactus Info – Learn About Growing A Bishop’s Cap Cactus, Silver Torch Cactus Facts – Learn About Silver Torch Cactus Plants, Are Succulents And Cacti The Same: Learn About Cactus And Succulent Differences. Portulacaria care requires warm temperatures and bright light. Elephant Bush plant needs a soil that can drain out fast as they do not tolerate to much of moisture any potting mix that has a good drainage is good for these plants. However, cooking renders the toxins harmless and many cultures have safely eaten them for years (specifically taro root, or Colocasia esculenta ). Dwarf Jade is hardy to droughts and can handle overwatering that is why elephant bush bonsai is popular in the west as it can be grown full year with awesome fleshy and round leaves. This is a succulent and the watering care for this plant is just like other succulents and does not tolerate excess watering and is more susceptible to root rot when over watered, which is one of the major problem with the Elephant bush plant. From the outset sight, numerous frequently think ‘afra’ is a smaller than expected Crassula ovata in light of their comparative appearance. A few rules on how to care for elephant bush will help you grow a specimen of interest that may be a stand-alone plant or part of an intricate succulent garden. Elephant Cactus Care. Change ). I would suggest that you should see that the top layer, that is the top 3 cm of the soil should be totally dry when you water the plant. This plant is susceptible to all the pests that attack house plants like White flies, Mealy bugs, Aphids etc. Given the proper nourishment and care this is a show stunner. It's also known as elephant food, elephant plant, spekboom, and by its scientific name Portulacaria afra.The plant grows in the wild in Africa, where it serves as a food source for elephants. Elephant bush has a somewhat sprawling/cascading habit, making it well suited to growing in a hanging basket. Elephant Bush may get 6 to 20 feet (15 to 50 cm) tall in the habitat where it is a favorite food of elephants. Elephant Bushes are incredibly easy to care for and make both excellent houseplants as well as outdoor landscaping plants if the climate permits. The elephant bush is a succulent with a woody stem and small, round leaves. Light requirements. I hung it in the spot near the front door where the Spider Plant had been growing. It was very early spring so I didn’t have to worry about this newly planted fleshy succulent burning. Elephant bush houseplants (Portulacaria afra) thrive in bright light in a warm, draft free room. Portulacaria afra ‘Aurea’, common names: yellow rainbow Bush, yellow elephant food, has leaves that are bright yellow when young and turn lime green as they age. The most common mistake made in succulent plants is watering. After a dormant period in winter, the bush produces small pink flowers grouped in clusters at the ends of the branches. They are drought tolerant but do require watering from April to October. Easiest Way to Propagate Succulents: by Stem Cuttings . Pests and diseases cause harm to the plant. Overly bright sunlight can char the leaves and cause them to drop off. As you can see, there’s nothing tricky about planting the elephant bush. Another weird and unique fact about Elephant’s Foot plant is that it is dioecious, meaning that the male and female flowers appear on different plants. I had watered the plant in its grow pot a few days before the repotting. This is natively to South Africa. Elephant Bush Care. Portulacaria afra ‘Variegata’, common names: rainbow bush, mini jade, or elephant bush, has cream-colored and green variegated leaves. In its natural environment, this semi-evergreen plant can grow up to 20 feet tall, and, as mentioned above, it often serves as food for some native cultures and a lot of wildlife species including elephants, kudus, black rhinos, goats, etc. Potting Elephant Bush From the outset sight, numerous frequently think ‘afra’ is a smaller than expected Crassula ovata in light of their comparative appearance. ( Log Out /  Portulacaria care requires warm temperatures and bright light. Elephant Ear Plant, Kris Plant or African Mask Plant are all common names that refer to the beautiful Alocasia species. Elephant bush succulents in the home interior should not have consistently wet feet. This means it favors warm weather and plenty of light. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Watch for pests like whitefly, spider mites and mealybugs. It has USDA hardiness zones between 9 and 11. Like most succulents, elephant bush is easy to reproduce from cuttings. Elephant Bush: Growing and Care Of Portulacaria Afra Elephant Bush or Portulacaria afra (pronounced por-tew-luh-KAR-ee-uh AF-ruh) is a bushy succulent shrub belonging to the Didiereaceae family. Elephant Bush Soil . If planted outdoors in warm and hot climates, dig in 3 inches of sand or gritty material foe the provision of well-drained soil. P ortulacaria afra, more commonly known as the “Elephant Bush”, is a succulent native to South Africa. It might be decaying of its roots, infecting leaves, causing yellowish color, mushy spots and … These succulents need well drained soil and an unglazed pot that will help excess moisture evaporate. Care for an Elephant Bush After Repotting. Elephant Bushes are incredibly easy to care for and make both excellent houseplants as well as outdoor landscaping plants if the climate permits. Visit my resource page for suggestions on where to find a Portulacaria Afra plant and other succulents online. Elephant Ear Plant Care & Tips. I have had good results mixing this soil with perlite in a 70:30 ratio. Elephant Bush or Portulacaria afra (pronounced por-tew-luh-KAR-ee-uh AF-ruh) is a bushy succulent shrub belonging to the Didiereaceae family.. This plant is a fast grower and can cover the planter with in no time but when kept in suitable conditions . Elephant Bush Succulent A favorite food of elephants in its native habitat, this plant is identified by its small, glossy leaves and bush like shape. Portulacaria care is similar to other succulent plants. The elephant bush is a succulent with a woody stem and small, round leaves. Alocasia Plants stand out in any indoor environment. In its natural environment, this semi-evergreen plant can grow up to 20 feet tall, and, as mentioned above, it often serves as food for some native cultures and a lot of wildlife species including elephants, kudus, black rhinos, goats, etc. However, it will look better if it is given a little attention throughout the year. Plants can grow two to six feet tall and four feet wide, so be sure they have enough room to thrive. Elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) is a semi-evergreen shrubby flowering succulent native to South Africa.In the wild, elephant bush grows in dry, sunny locations. ). In the wild, it can grow to sizes of 6-20 feet tall, though it also thrives as a house plant. In winter the plants are dormant and you may suspend watering. How to Care for Elephant Bush. Elephant bush, Portulacaria afra, is a perennial succulent shrub from South Africa that is a popular succulent garden plant around the world.It is easily grown as a seasonal accent plant or low maintenance houseplant in our part of the world. Growing Portulacaria afra in your home interior will be appealing since it will give your compound that green scenic beauty. However, there are certain guidelines you need to follow to keep them stunning. Elephant Bush Care. Scientific name: Portulacaria afra Synonyms: Spekboom, Bacon Tree, Pork Bush, Elephant’s Food, Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant. The spot should offer shelter from the wind, which could rip the plant's enormous leaves in a strong gust. Elephant bush requires very little hands-on care and will thrive despite neglect. Fertilizing the plant with a liquid fertilizer once in 15-20 days will keep the plant fresh and healthy occasionally treating the plant with Epsom salt is also welcome. it’s discovered developing in dry, rough inclines. I had watered the plant in its grow pot a few days before the repotting. It is hardy in USDA zones 9a-11b. Portulacaria care is similar to other succulent plants. Portulacaria care is similar to other succulent plants. Portulacaria afra grows 6 to 8 feet tall and spreads indefinitely.Use it as a backdrop plant, and/or prune into a hedge. Portulacaria Afra-Elephant Bush Care, Types and Propagation. In general, Portulacaria are easy to care for and look great in arrangements. It might be decaying of its roots, infecting leaves, causing yellowish color, mushy spots and … Elephant bush is a drought-tolerant plant, ideally suited to growing in arid, desert-like environments.. It has USDA hardiness zones between 9 and 11. Plant it in a gritty or sandy soil, much like its native soil. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. Also known as Elephant Ear or African Mask plant, these elegant and long-leaf houseplants can give life to any living room or office. The home interior is an excellent place to grow Elephant Bush houseplants. Elephant bush plant may get 6- to 20-feet (2-6 m.) tall in habitat where it is a favorite food of elephants. Elephants eat it, but you need not fear for your Portulacaria unless you have a pet pachyderm. Fertilize in late winter to early spring with an indoor plant fertilizer diluted by half. They serve as food for elephants and other wildlife in their native habitat and can grow up to 20 feet tall. The elephant bush loves sunlight and can be in full sun for several hours at a time. Sign up for our newsletter. Elephant’s Foot plants are slow-growing succulents that can live for decades if provided with ideal growing conditions and can be passed down between generations. This hardy succulent can handle any soil, weather conditions, and temperature you grow it in. The bush has thick succulent brown stems with small tender green leaves that resemble a diminutive jade plant. You can control the size even further by growing rainbow elephant bush in a small container. 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. As you can see, there’s nothing tricky about planting the elephant bush. It was very early spring so I didn’t have to worry about this newly planted fleshy succulent burning. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Although a popular name for this succulent is “Miniature Jade,” it is not related to Crassula ovata. Portulacaria leaves are high in Vitamin-C, have a juicy crunch and make a nice salad garnish. They’ve been made a very popular house plant due to their unusual, large, heart-shaped leaves and on occasion, they're even known to bloom, however, this is more common when grown as outdoor plants in warmer regions. Elephant ear plants are poisonous if ingested in large quantities. Elephant bush succulents work well as part of a succulent display with plants that require similar care and situations. In the southwestern United States, they are popular in outdoor spaces as they tolerate the desert heat well and are easy to maintain. Bonsai care, pruning and notes for portulacaria afra “elephant bush”, “dwarf jade plant” Portulacaria afra tree is relatively new to bonsai in the west. To take care of an Alocasia you should keep in mind the following recommendations: In the wild, it can grow to sizes of 6-20 feet tall, though it also thrives as a house plant. Click here to find about the soil requirements of this plant. Its reddish-brown stem adds a little color to … How to Look After Elephant Bush. Elephant Bush Diseases. Learn how to care for them and keep your plants alive and thriving. In the southwestern United States, they are popular in outdoor spaces as they tolerate the desert heat well and are easy to maintain. It's also known as elephant food, elephant plant, spekboom, and by its scientific name Portulacaria afra.The plant grows in the wild in Africa, … Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush” Portulacaria afra is a perfect addition to your indoor or outdoor succulent garden. In the home interior, it … Although a popular name for this succulent is “Miniature Jade,” it is not related to Crassula ovata. this plant grows fast and is a bushing type succulent with woody stems. Take cuttings in spring or summer for best results. While taking Elephant Bush care, its diseases should be taken into consideration as it affects the health of the plant. Enjoy the unique thick branch Succulent Elephant Bush on your home desk or office! It is a nice addition to your outside garden! Learn more elephant bush plants in this article. ( Log Out /  This favorite elephant snack is a a popular, easy-care houseplant. Also being known as Miniature Jade or Dwarf Jade, it has nothing to do with Crassula ovata.The leaves are rounded, fleshy and small, growing on a red stem. “Elephant Bush” also comes in miniature and variegated forms. Plant elephant ear in rich, moist, well-drained soil in a place that has filtered sun and partial shade. “Elephant Bush” also comes in miniature and variegated forms. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Leaf Curl On Bird Of Paradise Plants: Why Do Bird Of Paradise Leaves Curl? But I am happy to say that, weeks later, I feel that it has recovered very well. Ensure that the container you choose has wide drainage holes. Place the cutting in a moderately lit area where temperatures are at least 65 F (18 C). Hold the watering can! This is natively to South Africa. Elephant Bush or Portulacaria afra (pronounced por-tew-luh-KAR-ee-uh AF-ruh) is a bushy succulent shrub belonging to the Didiereaceae family.. The plant is a succulent with fleshy, glossy leaves that grows as a small bush. Pests and diseases cause harm to the plant. Spekboom. Aug 25, 2019 - Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) a succulent, looks like jade plants,small, glossy green leaves, grows in dry, rocky slopes, fast, upward growth. So while watering check out for the creepy stuff and if present attend them immediately. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Sun. Like most succulents, elephant bush thrives on neglect. In its natural environment, variegated elephant bush can reach heights of up to 20 feet (6 m.). Mar 18, 2018 - Elephant plant is a succulent that grows as a small bush. Avoid growing in rich soil but amend a poor soil area if needed to improve drainage. Luckily, it’s a bonsai plant that has plenty of alternatives (elephant bush, porkbush, dwarf jade plant, and spekboom, in Afrikaans, just to name a few! While it’s a bit more picky than something like a cast iron plant or a zz plant, with a little attention you can have your elephant ear thriving. Elephant Bush Care & Growing Guide 1. Elephant bush succulents work well as part of a succulent display with plants that require similar care and situations. Aug 3, 2016 - Elephant plant is a succulent that grows as a small bush. Aug 9, 2015 - Choose a location with indirect sunlight when growing Elephant Bush indoors. A eastern window sill or balcony is  opt and idle place for this plant, I have seen in many blogs terming this plant to be indoor and can grow in less lighting but as per my knowledge I will surely  not suggest that. Like our story share it with your friends and for more updates subscribe to our blog, A tip for Indoor and Outdoor Plants, Succulents, Cactus, Bonsai, Fruits and Vegetables in Chennai, Follow A tip for Indoor and Outdoor Plants, Succulents, Cactus, Bonsai, Fruits and Vegetables in Chennai on WordPress.com. Use these helpful tips to ensure your elephant bush … This plant gets its name from being an actual food source for Elephants in South Africa as it’s stored with fresh tasting mineral water. Portulacaria afra ‘Variegata’ (tricolor or rainbow elephant bush) first appeared as a sport (variant growth) of Portulacaria afra.It has cream-and-green leaves and pendant, trailing stems; and forms low, shrubby mounds that spread several feet tall and wide. Elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) is a semi-evergreen shrubby flowering succulent native to South Africa.In the wild, elephant bush grows in dry, sunny locations. 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