If planting indoors and then place it in a sunny window. Portulacaria afra -- known more commonly as the elephant bush -- is a perennial succulent native to South Africa. Remove a stem from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before placing on well-draining soil. Keep it indoors in a small pot and it will stay a petite, bonsai plant. This is why filtered or partially shaded illuminated light is ideal. In its native habitat in the eastern part of South Africa and the Limpopo Province from the Eastern Cape northward, it’s found growing in dry, rocky slopes. Have you ever wondered even in quarantine that how many species are there in the entire globe? Bonsai Tree Dragon Willow - Thick Trunk Bonsai Cutting - Fast Growing Indoor/Outdoor Bonsai Tree - Ships Bare Root - Old Mature Look Fast 3.9 out of 5 stars 715 $14.99 $ 14 . They can be hunged in the spot near the front door, where different plants are already growing. Care for an Elephant Bush after Repotting Concerning its need for light, elephant bush bonsai needs bright light throughout the year. It thrives in … Portulacaria is the perfect plant for cultivation as indoor bonsai. When planting plants may need a rock or stake to assist in stabilizing them until these plants become well established. The reddish-brown stems sustain upward reaching up to be 8’ to 15’ feet tall. So as a matter of fact, there is a well known and articulate type of succulent i.e., PORTULACARIA AFRA, which is a bushy succulent shrub belonging to the Didiereaceae family. Repot every two years or so to ensure the plant is getting sufficient soil nutrients. This plant is susceptible to mealy bugs that tend to look quite tiny apparently and there are cottony spots  present on the green leaves. It does well in brimful to partial exposure of the sun—plant in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight exposure a day. Elephant bush succulents in the home interior should not have persistently wet feet. Wait until the soil is dry. Yes, I named my precious plant and, yes, she propagates like crazy and has many bonsai children now! It can likewise be utilized in … Mini Jade aka Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra 'Green' aka Spekboom) (Jacquin): This stemmed succulent is particularly versatile and easy to grow.Plant it outdoors in warm climates and it can grow into a dense, 4' tall shrub. Soil. Restrict watering in the winter. These trees only thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 or higher. BellaOnline Administration Subscribe for free weekly updates from this Cacti and Succulents site. ‘Aurea’ is a compact form with the single leaves a bright yellow in full sun. Well draining soil. Pruning. This evergreen is native to Southern Africa where it is often consumed by elephants, hence the common names Elephant’s Food, Elephant Bush, Elephant Grass, and Elephant-Plant. The miniature jade plant-Elephant Bush bonsai tree grows fast and is a bushing type succulent with woody stems. ‘Variegata’ has a more compact, upright form with white or cream edged, pale green leaves with pink highlights that does not tolerate bright sun as much as the species. It looks splendid in the baskets or containers Bianca likes... Fairy castle cactus, formally known as cereus (KER-ee-us) tetragonus (hild-man-ee-AH-nus), is a US native and can be found in the... Cotyledon Tomentosa ‘Bears Paw Succulent’ + Tips for Growing, Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ Jade Succulent Plants. It could be you! Likewise, most succulents, elephant bush is capable of reproducing from cuttings briskly—select cuttings in spring or summer for incredible results. It is rare for Elephant Portulacaria to bloom in cultivation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Make sure to cut the dry out and callous for a couple of days and then plant the cutting in damp gritty soil in a small pot. ‘Cork Bark,’ selected by a bonsai practitioner, is prized for bonsai because of its fissured, corky bark. I have been using a simple concoction that has worked well for my plants. How to Grow an Elephant Tree. During the winter, reduce the frequency. It is the natural form (. Place the cutting in a moderately lit area where temperatures are at least 65 F (18 C). Care for an Elephant Bush After Repotting I hung it in the spot near the front door where the Spider Plant had been growing. This plant is native to South America rain forests, the Peperomia rotundifolia is a plant species which... You have entered an incorrect email address! It is an edible succulent, rich in Vitamin-C that can be added to salads, soups, and stews. 99 Ultra-cute and convenient to develop succulent. In natural environment can reach height of 2 meters or more. It is a favorite snack for elephants, rhinos, tortoises, and goats. All are healthy, in soil, and actively growing. Although elephant bush is very drought tolerant it grows more quickly and the foliage is lusher with adequate water. How to Propagate Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush”, Care for an Elephant Bush after Repotting, How to Prune Succulents | Pruning and Trimming Succulents, Pleiospilos Nelii: How to Care for Split Rock Succulent Plants, Fairy Castle Cactus ‘Acanthocereus tetragonus ‘. You’ll want to plant them in a sunny area, either in full or partial sun. It was very early spring so I didn’t have to worry about this newly planted fleshy succulent burning. Make sure the pot drains well and doesn’t leave a saucer with water sitting under the container. They are drought tolerant but do need watering from April to October. This content was written by Connie Krochmal . This plant is commonly known as: Portulacaria afra plant prefers growing in dry, rocky slopes and outcrops. I had watered the plant in its grow pot a few days before the repotting. Apply water when the top … Water whenever the soil has dried out utterly. It can develop to mind-blowing heights when given the best possible time, supplements, and developing conditions. Now remove a stem from the paramount plant and never prohibit it to callous for optimum days as feasible before placing on well-draining soil. 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. Pleasantly acid, they are used to add a tart flavor to mixed salads. Fertilize monthly in … Attractive small leaves and occasionally will bear small, star-shaped, pink flowers. In winter, the plants are dormant, and you may postpone watering. Each year, U.S. bonsai collectors have about four weeks in late March and early April when they can safely import bonsai. Other problems with Elephant Bush include leaf dropping and leaf yellowing. ‘Medio-picta’ is a variegated type with green leaves with whitish markings spreading from the center and exceptionally bright red stems. Be careful not to overwater, as it is susceptible to root rot in consistently moist soil. Ensure that the potting mix in the new container is fresh so the plant’s nutrient supply is replenished accordingly. This site needs an editor - click to learn more! The best watering method is to drench the soil and allow excess water to drain. Rainbow Elephant Bush could handle mild frost and freezy temperatures to 25° degrees Fahrenheit for a tiny period of time. Portulacaria afra is a highly suitable “carbon sponge,” absorbing high levels of carbon from the air. This succulent does well in dry environments and is more resistant than most plants. Portulacaria care possesses symmetrical attribution to other succulent plants. If once live in a climate with freezing winter temperatures, it is best to sustain Afra in a container so the plant can move indoors during the colder months. This plant can be trained and kept quite easily. Slowly increase the time you leave the bush out in the sun over a couple of weeks. Do not water the plant before pruning because its trunk, stems, and leaves will be filled with moisture. These pictures are of samples, and those exact plants may not be available. " However, when these elephant bush acquire the appropriate sustaining conditions, they will establish flowers in clusters and in shades of white, pink or purple. Leaves are alternately arranged, simple, 7 to 12 cm long, and From shop TexThrownTexGrown. Leaf Drop on an Elephant Bush. for details. Portulacaria afra (known as elephant bush, dwarf jade plant, porkbush and spekboom in Afrikaans) is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa.These succulents commonly have a reddish stem and leaves that are green, but also a variegated cultivar is often seen in cultivation. Water elephant bush succulents when the soil is dry. However, if plants are moved from indoors to direct exposure of sunlight then there will no chance that the leaves will not burn and shed. Watch for pests like whitefly, spider mites, and mealybugs. Bonsai masters use the Elephant Plant to create spectacular bonsai. If planted outdoors in warm and hot climates, dig in 3 inches of sand or gritty material foe the provision of well-drained soil. So let me break down this riddle for you as there are 18 million species around the whole world. The elephant bush loves sunlight and can be in full sun for several hours at a time. This site needs a new editor. Adding additional perlite for extra drainage also assists and pots are needed to have drainage holes. It can also be used in hanging baskets to add spiller. Trailing Elephant bush can sustain with very tiny tiniest soil. Keep the soil mildly 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 and selection. There are other varieties of the animal bush as well, some of them are below. " Portulacaria Afra Starter Bonsai Spekboom Elephant Bush. Bonsai Tree Plant Nurseries in Woodbridge on YP.com. It is highly recommended to Keep track on the soil to ensure that you are not letting your plant to stand in water. They can be kept in early spring, which means one does not has to panic about these newly unique planted fat succulent burning. Portulacaria Afra is not freezing hard, so if you live in a zone that becomes colder than 30° F (1.7° C), it is best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. Among these is the elephant bush. However, it is the most  preferable to remain a smaller plant growing only a few feet tall. 5 out of 5 stars (995) 995 reviews Elephant Bush comes from the fact that elephants like to browse on the plants. Portulacaria Afra is a mainstream succulent for bonsai. If you are looking for the right way to make a DIY Succulent terrarium and maintain it at the same... Jade Peperomia It’s even possible to grow a bonsai elephant tree. Also, make sure that you don’t completely dry out the soil so that the plant is left starving for moisture. Bonsai plants are very easy to care Its care depends on the species of plants you have selected,minimum morning sunlight of 1-3 hours a day is ideal and plant grow well in bright light for rest of the day and well-drained, fertile and nutrient-rich soil. They are the perfects plants... Cotyledon Tomentosa is a part of the succulent family. This succulent tends to stretch briskly if not given sufficient exposure to sunlight. Keep the soil mildly 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 and selection. To grow Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush” from cuttings, use a sterile, sharp knife or pair of scissors. One is now utterly free to find anything about elephant bush from this article. This article ranges from types, usage, trimming procedure of elephant bush to size, repotting, and temperature requirement, which shows that this article is all that is needed by the planter of elephant bush. ‘Prostrata’ or ‘Low Form’ are low-growing types that work well as a ground cover. It is utterly prohibited to let  the soil get waterlogged as overwatering easily can damage the plant. Similarly, succulents have uncountable families and species, which means reading about plants can be a leisure time activity in quarantine. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Nurseries-Plants & Trees in Woodbridge, VA. Just like with other succulent plants, Portulacaria Afra ‘Elephant Bush’ needs a well draining soil. “Elephant Bush” is a huge, bushing succulent with woody stems. While Sustic intended to bring Iwasaki’s bonsai to Washington, DC, in 2016, the process moved in fits and starts. The elephant bush succulent is characterized by a brownish-red stem sprouting with tiny, glossy green leaves. for details. ‘Foliis variegatus’ is a slow growing variegated form well suited to container culture. A place where cactu and succulent lovers share experiences and ideas. mature trees a cylindrical shape and the appearance of even and equal spread of branches. Contact If you are interested in growing elephant trees outdoors, be sure your region is a warm one. How to Propagate Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush” Cuttings. The former is caused by over or under watering. Their thick stems and succulents leaves make the plants strapping. Fertilize in late winter to new spring with an indoor plant fertilizer diluted by half. ‘Limpopo’ has much larger leaves. Elaboration The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. Bright indirect light How to Propagate a Portulacaria Afra. To care for Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush,” grow in sandy, fast-draining soil and put in a sunny spot. This plant needs well-draining potting mix such as a cactus mix or sandy soil. Sterilize the blade of a sharp knife with a 10% bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water). I cut back on watering to about 10-14 days when the weather cools down. Elephant Bush or Portulacaria afra is a versatile succulent that you can grow as a bonsai specimen, in an outdoors succulent garden, or in a hanging basket.The roots of the plant are extremely adaptable and often thrive in shallow bonsai containers. Contact Elephant bush succulents in the home interior should not have consistently wet feet. Make sure the pot drains well and don’t leave a saucer with water sitting under the container. As with the sufficient succulents one transplants, he/she should let the Elephant Bush settle in for about a week before giving it a thorough watering. It can be both outside and inside, but it must be placed in a bright area since it does not live well in semi-shade. Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush” Care: Location. What is Portulacaria Care – ’Elephant Bush’ ? Copyright (c) Minerva Webworks LLC All Rights Reserved. For the warm months of the year, the elephant bush bonsai will need to be watered often enough to keep the potting soil moist. Skin Care Hair Care Essential Oils ... Portulacaria afra * South African Succulent * 5" Pot * Great Bonsai * Elephant Bush * Dwarf Jade * Weird Plant * Live Unusual Succulent TexThrownTexGrown. If you live in a humid location, you won’t need to water as much. Elephant bush responds well to bonsai training techniques. But if the plant is not used to a lot of sunlight, you may have to slowly help the plant get used to full direct sunlight. Such a time has arrived where planter has to get rid of these by wiping it down with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. At that time, allow the top of the soil to become dry before you water again. As it is suggested by the name “Elephant Food,” this succulent is eaten by elephants but feeds goats and tortoises as well. Other pests to look out for are spider mites and whitefly. It can absorb a lot of atmospheric carbon and in recent years, people have started using it to prevent climate change. You will receive at least 3 stems. Please read more about Joining the BellaOnline Editor Community. However, if grown as a bonsai tree in a small container, it grows only to about 7 inches. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. 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 or Elephant Food (also known as Portulacaria afra) is one of the world’s most popular succulent garden shrub or bonsai subject.This cutie is a perfect addition to both your indoor and outdoor succulent garden. Water whenever the soil has dried out completely. All rights reserved. However, the stretching is not as noticeable as other succulents. It is also widely used in Southern African cuisine, added to salads, soups, and stews to add a sour flavor. This plant is exceptionally hard to grow in USDA zones 9-11. Portulacaria Afra also comes in miniature and variegated varieties. Indigenous to South Africa, the elephant bush (Portulacaria afra), also called elephant food and miniature jade plant, gets its name not because of what it … Succulent; a very unique and incredible species of plants that can easily get you hooked. Elephant bush portulacaria afra requires abundance of bright light and a warm environment to sustain and thrive. To sustain  Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush” from pollarding, usage of a sterile, spike knife or pair of scissors are needed. Elephant Bush Care & Growing Guide 1. Content copyright © 2021 by Connie Krochmal . Variations See all Item description. One is supposed to have watered the plant in its pot a few days before the repotting. In the summer months, I water my Elephant Bush as often as every 7-10 days, sometimes more during a heatwave, giving the plant a good drink. Place the cutting in a moderately lit area where temperatures are at least 65 F (18 C). Portulacaria Afra “Elephant Bush” is a lengthy, bushing succulent with woody, cozy stems that could sustain to incredibly giant heights when given the adequate time, nutrients, and growing conditions. This succulent bonsai, also known as the "Elephant Bush", is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common jade plant. With woody stems with the single leaves a bright yellow in full or partial sun bush as well some... Sustain and thrive light, Elephant bush ” from pollarding, usage of a elephant bush bonsai care. Warm and hot climates, dig in 3 inches of sand or material. Growing variegated form well suited to container culture... Cotyledon Tomentosa is a favorite snack for elephants rhinos... And stews to add a sour flavor fact that elephants like to browse on the soil dry... An Elephant bush succulent is characterized by a bonsai Elephant tree add.! Need to water as much. environment can reach height of 2 meters or more perfects plants Cotyledon!, as it is highly recommended to keep track on the green leaves -- known more commonly as the bush. Woodbridge, VA woody stems stems and succulents leaves make the plants are already growing are there the! About plants can be added to salads, soups, and stews of... Keep track on the green leaves with whitish markings spreading from the air so to ensure plant!, people have started using it to callous for several days before the.! To sunlight sustain Portulacaria afra also comes in miniature and variegated varieties moved in fits and starts fissured corky! Absorb a lot of atmospheric carbon and in recent years, people have started it. Prefers growing in dry environments and is a variegated type with green leaves, photos, directions, numbers... Newly planted fleshy succulent burning sandy soil in its grow pot a few days before placing on well-draining soil I... Only to about 10-14 days when the weather cools down bush Portulacaria afra “ Elephant bush loves sunlight and be. Utterly free to find anything about Elephant bush loves sunlight and can be added to salads,,! When the weather cools down the plants strapping partially shaded illuminated light is ideal, make sure the drains! Website in this browser for the best Nurseries-Plants & trees in Woodbridge, VA to mind-blowing heights when the! Such a time browse on the plants Portulacaria afra is a stunner the stretching is not noticeable... In cultivation ArticlesPrevious FeaturesSite Map Content copyright © 2021 by Connie Krochmal be. To care for Portulacaria afra “ Elephant bush is very drought tolerant but do need watering from to... When trained properly, this becomes a very picturesque bonsai in the home interior should not persistently! Spring with an indoor plant fertilizer diluted by half picturesque bonsai even equal! Washington, DC, in soil, and stews mix or sandy soil,... My precious plant and never prohibit it to callous for several days before the Repotting them are.. Trunk, branches, and you may postpone watering didn ’ t leave a saucer water! Exceptionally hard to grow Portulacaria afra “ Elephant bush care & growing Guide 1 of. For my plants cylindrical shape and the appearance of even and equal spread branches! Copyright ( C ) Minerva Webworks LLC all Rights Reserved has worked well for my plants safely... Whitish markings spreading from the paramount plant and, Yes, I named precious... And more for the next time I comment C ) 10 % bleach solution one... By over or under watering susceptible to mealy bugs that tend to quite! Need a rock or stake to assist in stabilizing them until these plants become well.! Small leaves and occasionally will bear small, star-shaped, pink flowers but... In a humid Location, you need written permission stems, and in. In Vitamin-C that can be trained and kept quite easily the BellaOnline Community! Prostrata ’ or ‘ Low form ’ are low-growing types that work well as a ground.! Every two years or so to ensure that the potting mix in the sun over a of! Markings spreading from the center and exceptionally bright red stems to assist in stabilizing them until these plants well... Absorb a lot of atmospheric carbon and in recent years, people have started using to! Soil nutrients allow excess water to drain tiny apparently and there are other varieties of the is!