Growing Portulacaria afra: Elephant Food. Additionally, it is indigenous to Southern Africa. Portulacaria afra, or Elephant Bush, is native to South Africa. How To Take Care Of Elephant Bush Plant - TricheenlightPortulacaria afra f. variegata - llifle.com Upon first glance, you might mistake the Portulacaria Afra Variegata for the Crassula Ovata succulent . Portulacaria afra is an easy going succulent that has an attractive growth habit, with small green succulent leaves on a red coloured stem. Learn2Grow Let's see how to take care of Portulacaria afra: Exposure and watering. Planted in the ground and allowed to grow to its full height, Portulacaria will tower up to 15 . 1. Portulacaria Afra. Portulacaria Aurea - Variety of very clear leaves, washed yellow in appearance. Portulacaria afra f. variegata is a slow-growing, much-branched succulent shrub with attractive, reddish-brown stems and glossy green leaves heavily variegated with cream. Portulacaria Afra is one succulent that you should consider giving a spot in your home. With time, the stems extend over the sides of the planter to make a lovely draping silhouette. Sent in a 2″ round plastic pot. Portulacaria afra grows 6 to 8 feet tall and spreads indefinitely.Use it as a backdrop plant, and/or prune into a hedge. There are quite a few types of Portulacaria Afras. Slowly increase the time you leave the bush out in the sun over a couple of weeks. Limpopo: This variety has larger leaves. July 28, 2020 by Devin. Growing Elephant Bush Houseplants The branches become interwoven as the plant ages. The best mixture for this type of plant is cactus soil or potting soil cut by half with sand, vermiculite, or pumice. The elephant bush loves sunlight and can be in full sun for several hours at a time. Leaf retention: Evergreen. Just plant it in full sun in sandy soil so it dries quickly and the roots don't rot. Elephant bush succulents in the home interior should not have consistently wet feet. The variegated Portulacaria afra 'variegata' is called the - Rainbow bush. The Varieties of Elephant Bush. Also sometimes called elephant food or elephant plant; dwarf jade . The leaves of the Portulacaria Afra Variegata plant are silvery-green with cream edges. Portulacaria is a genus of succulent plants. Portulacaria afra is an incredible "carbon sponge," absorbing high levels of carbon from the air. Attributes - Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' Plant Type: Succulent. Variegated Elephant Bush / Portulacaria afra Variegata . Elephant Bush Plant Care Size and Growth. How do you care for Portulacaria Afra Variegata?They are drought tolerant but do require watering from April to October. The Elephant Bush, or otherwise known by its scientific name, Portulacaria afra, is one elevated shrub from the Didiereaceae family that you'll for sure enjoy owning and caring for. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those . Foliis variegatus: As the name implies this is a variegated form. It is the common variety in the far northern portions of the species' range. We also grow Portulacaria afra 'Aurea', another prostrate plant but with yellow new growth, Portulacaria afra 'Skyscraper' a narrow upright form, Portulacaria afra 'Cork Bark', a corky bark form great for bonsai use, Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' an upright plant with white variegated leaves, Portulacaria afra forma macrophylla , a large leafed . The leaves of the plant are glossy and pearl-like with pretty shades of green, white, and a hint of pink with stems that are reddish-brown. Also known as variegated elephant bush or rainbow portulacaria plant, rainbow elephant bush (Portulacaria afra 'Variegata') is a shrubby succulent with mahogany stems and fleshy, green and creamy white foliage.Clusters of small, lavender-pink blooms may appear at branch tips. Very small, pale pink flowers are produced in clusters at the ends of stems in summer. Portulacaria afra, at the Karoo Desert Botanical Garden, Worcester, South Africa. Leaves are smooth, obovate, and up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long. Height: 6 ft. to 10 ft. Width: 10 ft . To be on the safe side, I use cactus mix combined with perlite or a very porous mix like cactus jack. WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE. Their appearance, shape of trunk, leaves, and stem almost resembles, but the Elephant plant/dwarf jade plant is different from . Portulacaria afra 'Medio-picta' (Midstripe Rainbow Bush) - A very slow growing succulent shrub with attractive bright reddish pink stems holding small 1/2 inch long ovate green leaves that have wide white stripes down their middle, sometimes with leaves having little or no green. Light requirements. Portulacaria Afra "Elephant Bush" - Growth, Care, Propagation & FAQs. Elephant bush is a drought-tolerant plant, ideally suited to growing in arid, desert-like environments.. Elephant bush is succulent plants that usually thrive in dry and arid soil. This African succulent is a good indoor plant, but it needs lots of light. 4. The reddish-brown stems grow upward reaching up to be 8' to 15' feet tall. Portulacaria afra, at the Karoo Desert Botanical Garden, Worcester, South Africa. In some areas, the Portulacaria afra makes up 80% of an elephant herd's diet. It makes an excellent potted plant, prefers deep, infrequent water and needs good drainage. They have small, green leaves (sometimes variegated) and add a verdant touch with . This succulent blooms tiny pink flowers during the spring. Portulacaria afra is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa. The leaves are ovate and up to 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) long. 5 Succulent Cuttings Portulacaria Afra Variegata Rainbow Etsy Succulent Cuttings Succulents Planting Succulents . Care instructions will be provided with plant. Description: Portulacaria afra f. variegata (Rainbow Bush) is a popular and highly adaptable variegated form with creamy-yellow mottled leaves. Basic elephant bush care routine. 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. Jade Plant Variegated - Elephant Bush Plant, Portulacaria Afra Variegated, Lucky Plant Click Image for Zoom This image is for reference purpose only, Photo May Slightly Different From Actual Item in Terms of Color Due to the Lighting During Photo Shooting or the Monitor's Display. These have similar qualities and features as Portulacaria Afra but the leaves take on an attractive hue of variegated cream and green stripes. They are only hardy in zones 10 and 11. Cultivation. Portulacaria afra known by various names Elephant bush, Elephant food plant, Porkbush, Elephant bush Succulent, Spekboom, Dwarf Jade, and Dwarf . The name Elephant Bush or Elephant Jade is derived from the fact that they are food to elephants and goats, and tortoises. Small clusters of tiny, pale pink flowers rarely bloom in cultivation. The Portulacaria afra care guide is the semi-evergreen, soft-wooded upright small tree or shrub that generally has a height of between 2.5 and 4.5 meters. It grows up to 10 feet (3 m) tall. Elephant Bush is a versatile plant that thrives in many different climates, It grows quickly and is incredibly hardy. If you put it outside, it will grow into a dense, 4.0 inches tall but if you grow it indoors, it will grow petite and bonsai plant size. Very low growing plant, and makes a great bonsai, compared to the non-variegated form, at least, which tends to grow more upright and huge. Portulacaria Afra generally likes fast-draining soil. Portulacaria afra "elephant bush" succulents are generally easy to care for. Care for Portulacaria afra. Our paper packaging allows the plants to breathe during their . Aurea Baby Jade Plant. Foliage: Evergreen. Portulacaria afra The parent species is a shrubby thicket plant of the South African the Karoo Desert where it is a primary forage for elephants, and of late, goat. Mine is in mostly shade, hanging under an umbrella. California grown Variegated Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra Variegata), also know as Elephant Food and Dwarf Jade. Portulacaria afra plant prefers growing in dry, rocky slopes and outcrops. It is also called a dwarf jade plant. Types of Portulacaria Afra Bonsai. Flowers: Lavender pink flowers are rarely seen and it is quite possible this variety does not flower at all in cultivation. 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. Portulacaria afra 'Medio-picta' is a slow-growing succulent shrub with attractive bright reddish-pink stems and small green leaves with broad white stripes down their middle. It's a slower growing plant as well. A few rules on how to care for elephant bush will help you grow a specimen . A small-leaved succulent plant native to South Africa, Portulacaria afra is a small, succulent plant that produces compact growth and rounded pads. Height: 70cm - 1m. Uses. Portulacaria Afra Variegata is a slow-growing and easy to care for succulent with attractive red-brown stems and heavily variegated leaves. It must be watered every week during the summer. The small, rounded, fleshy leaves are pale silvery-green with wide cream margins, carried on dark red stems. How to care for portulacaria afra (elephant bush) elephant bush care is relatively easy, which is one of the reasons why it is so . 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. Styling and caring for Portulacaria afra. Portulacaria (Port- yoo -luh-CARE-ee-ah) is a small genus of upright, semi-woody succulents indigenous to South Africa. How to take care elephant bush. Watering: from March to October water the plant only when the soil is . This is a unique form of Elephant Bush, which is native to South Africa, where it reaches up to 12' tall and can be food for elephants! This plant is grown as a seasonal house plant and low caring plant in many regions. Species include: Portulacaria afra Portulacaria armiana AKA Large-Leafed Spekboom and Whipstick-Porkbush. Rainbow elephant bush care. Succulents tend to carry mind-blowing attributes that most homeowners find easy to handle. Elephant bush houseplants (Portulacaria afra) thrive in bright light in a warm, draft-free room. These hassle-free plants are great if you work all day or are just not good at taking care of plants. Elephant bush portulacaria afra requires plenty of bright light and a warm environment to grow and thrive. 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. Botanical Name: Portulacaria afra 'Aurea'. Water it after every 1.5 weeks during the winter or during cooler summer temperatures. Although unrelated, it looks like the Jade Plant, with it's similar glossy green leaves and on thick, woody stems.. One of the most common types of Portulacaria Afras is Portulacaria Afra 'Variegata'. It looks rather like a small jade plant with nearly horizontally branches that sprawl on the soil. Flower Color: Pink. One of the key elements of variegated portulacaria is the unusual color of the leaf plates. Elephant bush (portulacaria afra) — detailed care guide. You can control the size even further by growing rainbow elephant bush in a small container. Jerome Kellerhals' bonsai garden is in sunny Florida, where he mainly works on semi-tropicals. Elephant bush succulents in the home interior should not have consistently wet feet. Portulacaria afra "elephant bush" succulents are generally easy to care for. The other variegated variety of elephant bush is the mid-stripe rainbow elephant bush, Portulacaria afra 'Medio-picta' (or "mid-stripe elephant bush," or "reverse variegated elephant bush.") This variety of variegated elephant bush is very similar to the rainbow elephant bush, but the colors on its leaves are reversed. Portulacaria (por-tew-luh-KAR-ee-uh) have a distinct look from most other succulents and they are an easy-to-grow option for those new to houseplants. flowerdekho. May 8, 2021. In nature they will reach 12 feet (4 m) in height with an equal spread. Variegated Elephant Food is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. There aren't many options when it comes to varieties of Portulacaria afra you can use for bonsai growing.However, there are both green and variegated options for you to . Portulacaria care requires warm temperatures and bright light. Also sometimes called elephant food or elephant plant; dwarf jade . Make sure that it is receiving proper watering and the sunlight supply. Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' (Rainbow Bush) is a form of the South African "Elephant Bush". In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in full sun or partial shade. A jade bonsai created from Portulacaria afra is much easier to develop as a good bonsai than the larger leaf jade plant, Crassula argentea.. Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' (Elephant bush 'Variegata') will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 1.5m after 10-20 years. A slow growing plant that's easy to care for. Portulacaria afra 'Medio-picta' (Midstripe Rainbow Bush) - A very slow growing succulent shrub with attractive bright reddish pink stems holding small 1/2 inch long ovate green leaves that have wide white stripes down their middle, sometimes with leaves having little or no green. As the name "Elephant Food" suggests, this succulent is eaten by elephants, but feeds goats and tortoises as well. After a dormant period in winter, the bush produces small pink flowers grouped in clusters at the ends of the branches. Evergreen spreading, slow growing succulent shrub. The scientific name is, Portulacaria Afra it is known as, Portulacaria, Elephant bush, Money plant, Tree of abundance, Japanese bush, Dwarf jade plant, etc. In containers, they will stay much smaller and their size is easily controlled with selective pruning and pot size. Exposure: the portulacaria prefers sunny or even semi-shady locations; it can bear temperatures close to 32°F/0°C, but it is advisable to keep the plant at temperatures not below 44.6-50°F/7-10°C.