SKU: 19634655183
portulacaria afra dormancy period

portulacaria afra dormancy period Shop 'Elephant bush - Portulacaria afra' Care and Info

Sale price$19.82 Regular price$22.02
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $5.50 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Sep 11 - Sep 16

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

portulacaria afra dormancy period Shop 'Elephant bush - Portulacaria afra' Care and InfoIntroducing the Elephant Bush, also known as Portulacaria afra, which is a fascinating and popular succulent garden plant native to South Africa. It belongs to the Portulacaceae family and is known for its unique appearance and easy care requirements. The elephant bush succulent gets its name from its resemblance to the foliage of an elephant's trunk. It is also commonly referred to as the dwarf jade plant, small leaf jade, miniature jade, elephant

Introducing the Elephant Bush, also known as Portulacaria afra, which is a fascinating and popular succulent garden plant native to South Africa. It belongs to the Portulacaceae family and is known for its unique appearance and easy-care requirements.

The elephant bush succulent gets its name from its resemblance to the foliage of an elephant's trunk. It is also commonly referred to as the dwarf jade plant, small leaf jade, miniature jade, elephant food, or the Spekboom. The name "Dwarf Jade Plant" comes from its small, jade-like leaves, while "Spekboom" is an Afrikaans term meaning "bacon tree" due to the plant's edible leaves that reportedly taste like bacon.


The elephant bush plant features small, round, and fleshy pale green leaves that store water, allowing your elephant bush plant to withstand drought conditions. 

The trailing stems of the elephant bush plants are thick and red-hued, which gives them a unique and appealing appearance in hanging baskets.

When grown as a houseplant, the elephant bush typically reaches a height of 1 to 3 feet.

However, if planted outdoors in its native habitat, your Portulacaria afra can grow much larger, reaching heights of up to 20 feet. The elephant bush makes for an excellent bonsai due to its unique growth pattern and ability to withstand pruning. Its thick, fleshy leaves and sturdy branches give it a robust appearance, making it an ideal succulent for shaping into intricate bonsai designs. 

The elephant bush flowers are small, star-shaped, and usually a light pink or lavender color. While the flowers are not the main attraction of this elephant bush succulent, they can add a touch of beauty when they bloom during the spring to late summer.

The elephant bush Portulacaria afra comes in various varieties, including a slow-growing variegated form Portulacaria afra variegata; a trailing growth bush Portulacaria afra prostrata; and a midstripe rainbow bush Portulacaria afra medio-picta, offers a diverse range of beauty in green spaces.

When and How to Water Your Elephant Bush

Like other drought-tolerant jade plants, your elephant bush succulent prefers a watering routine that allows the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can harm the elephant bush plant and cause root rot.

In the summer, during the growing season, you should water elephant bush succulents once or twice a month when the soil is dry. A good rule of thumb is to water this elephant plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. In the winter, during the dormant period,  you probably do not need to water them at all. 

Remember, it's always better to underwater than to overwater the elephant bush plant. This resilient Portulacaria afra plant can tolerate drought conditions better than excessive moisture. So, keep an eye on the soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Light Requirements - Where to Place Your Elephant Bush Plant

When growing the elephant bush indoors, it thrives in bright, indirect light. Place your elephant bush plant near a window where it can receive plenty of natural bright light, but make sure to avoid direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day.

If you notice the leaves turning yellow or getting scorched, it's a sign that the Portulacaria afra elephant bush is receiving too much direct sunlight. So, finding that sweet spot of bright, indirect light is key to keeping your elephant bush succulent plant happy indoors.

If you decide to grow your elephant bush outdoors, it loves basking in the full sun. Although partial shade in the afternoon is frequently preferred, these plants need at least six hours of strong light each day to survive.

This is true, especially in hotter climates where the plant may become stressed by the afternoon sun's intense heat.

Your succulents should not be placed in any areas that receive continuous, direct sunlight, as this could lead to burned foliage.

Remember, the elephant bush is a versatile succulent plant and can adapt to different light conditions. Just keep in mind that it prefers bright, indirect light indoors and full sun to partial shade outdoors.

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

Elephant succulents are very airy, porous, nutrient-rich well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5- 6.5; succulents require fast-draining soil that dries completely between waterings. Your soil must have a sandy texture and a low water-holding capacity, just like desert soil.  Ideally, you want to use our specialized succulent potting mix that contains 5 natural substrates to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your African elephant bush plant to thrive.   

When it comes to fertilizing your elephant bush plant, it only needs a small amount of fertilizer applied once a year in spring. These succulents prefer a fertilizer with lower doses of NPK, with a maximum ratio of 5-10-5 that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen.

Hardiness Zones & More 

When it comes to growing the Elephant Bush plant indoors, the Elephant Bush prefers a cozy environment with temperatures between 65°F and 75°F. It can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, but it's best to avoid extreme cold or frost. If you notice the leaves starting to shrivel or the tips turning brown, it may be a sign that the air is too dry. You can increase humidity by placing a tray of water near the plant or using a humidifier.

If you are living in USDA zones 9-11, you can grow your Elephant Bush plant outdoors year-round. These zones have mild temperatures and are less prone to frost.  

In cooler zones, it can be kept outdoors during the summer and brought in as the temperature drops. 

Elephant Bush can handle average to slightly higher humidity levels outdoors. Just make sure to provide well-draining soil to prevent waterlogged conditions, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot.

Don't worry if your succulents become too hot; they can tolerate triple-digit temperatures in the summer and prefer constant temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Wildlife - Portulacaria afra Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators

Portulacaria afra have tiny, star-shaped flowers, which bloom in clusters, and are a magnet for friendly pollinators. Bees are particularly drawn to its nectar-rich blooms, while butterflies and other beneficial insects are also frequent visitors. In areas where it thrives outdoors, hummingbirds may be attracted to the vibrant blossoms as well. 

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

According to ASPCA, the Portulacaria afra Elephant Bush is friendly to both humans and pets such as dogs and cats. This makes it a great choice for households with curious pets or small children.

How to Propagate Your Portulacaria afra

This African elephant bush is relatively easy to propagate. It can be grown from stem cuttings, which should be allowed to dry for a day or two before being planted in well-draining soil. The cuttings usually root quickly and can be grown into new, young plants.

Key Takeaways

  1. Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) is a fantastic succulent with small, jade-like leaves.
  2. Visually appealing and easy to care for, adaptable for both indoor and outdoor growth.
  3. Tolerates a wide range of warm temperatures, between 65°F and 75°F, and handles higher humidity levels.
  4. It can thrives in bright, indirect light. It is suitable for beginner and experienced plant enthusiasts alike.
  5. Often grown as a seasonal accent plant or houseplant.
  6. Order your Elephant Bush today and add something truly exceptional to your garden.

The Bottom Line

Overall, Portulacaria afra, or Elephant Bush, is a remarkable plant that combines beauty, resilience, and ecological value. Its succulent, jade-like leaves and sprawling growth make it a striking addition to both indoor and outdoor settings, while its ability to tolerate drought and thrive in poor soils underscores its low-maintenance appeal. This plant’s capacity to attract friendly pollinators such as bees and butterflies further enhances its value in promoting biodiversity. With minimal care—bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, occasional watering, and protection from frost—Portulacaria afra can flourish for years, serving as both a stunning decorative element and an eco-friendly choice for any garden or home.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 19634655183

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell portulacaria afra dormancy period

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.7 ★★★★★
Based on 28 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
K
Kindle Customer
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
A Powerful and Timely Book about Fairness and Equality in America
Format: Kindle
This book is beautifully written and deeply engaging. As a non-lawyer, I appreciated the author's ability to cut through legal abstraction to reveal what is truly at stake as the Supreme Court turns away from policies designed to expand opportunity. Driver writes, with clarity and conviction, that genuine equality demands more than the pretense that race no longer matters. The result is a powerful and thought-provoking work that reminds us the pursuit of fairness in America remains unfinished.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2025
D
Verified Purchase
Darryl L. Rowe
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Awesome
Format: Kindle
Exactly what I needed to get started, and with a lot of useful tips on getting started. Highly recommend this book.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2024
J
Verified Purchase
Joan Phraner
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
ADHD symptoms explain our behavior, BUT they do not EXCUSE it!
Format: Paperback
I read this to my 6 year old to help reinforce his own personal awareness with topics that he struggles with or to help prevent a struggle due to his ADHD. Being aware of what we need to work on is the first step to making changes and hopefully by doing this we can prevent our children from future frustrations and disappointments within themselves. It is easier to mold them into respectful, responsible children at a younger age than it will be to break bad habits later on in life. With that said this book is one of many that we read as our "self help" kinda books. Every night I choose 1 book to add to the mix of his own book choices, depending on what I am trying to make him aware of and teach him coping skills in regards to things he struggled with that day or week. I hope this list is helpful. I know I always LOVE finding someone’s review that lists more great books on these kind of topics as I am always looking for more resources! This is a list of a few of my personal favorites age range about 4-8 Helping kids about making good choices: • That Rule Doesn't Apply to Me! (Responsible Me!) • But It's Not My Fault! (Responsible Me!) • What Were You Thinking? Learning to Control Your Impulses (Executive Function) • My Mouth Is a Volcano! (talking over/interrupting people) • What If Everybody Did That? (environmental awareness) • LarryBoy and the Foolish Fig from Faraway (making good choices when friends aren’t) • The Berenstain Bears Show Some Respect (talking nice to others) • The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Chores • Squirmy Wormy: How I Learned to Help Myself (more autism focused) • God, I Need to Talk to You about…. Series (very short and to the point! from child’s point of view) Lying, Bad Manners, Whining, Laziness, Sharing, Stealing, My Bad Temper, Paying Attention, Hurting Others, Disrespect, Greed, vandalism, bad words, being a bad sport, video games, bullying, cheating, homework, healthy eating. Helping kids handle their anger: • Mad Isn't Bad: A Child's Book about Anger (Elf-Help Books for Kids) • I Just Don't Like the Sound of No! My Story About Accepting No for an Answer and Disagreeing the Right Way! (Best Me I Can Be) (WE LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!) • Angry Octopus: An Anger Management Story Helping Kids keep themselves safe: In all reality we aren’t always around to keep our kids safe, but we can give them the tools they need to handle themselves if a situation arises. • A Little Book About Safety (teaches kids exactly what to do in case they get lost) (WE LOVE THIS BOOK!! Perfect for 3-5yr olds, special needs children, ALL CHILDREN) Please read these books before reading them to your child ensure they are age/maturity level appropriate. I chose just a few pages here or there when my son was 4 as a preventative measure. • An Exceptional Children's Guide to Touch: Teaching Social and Physical Boundaries to Kids (Good book to help discuss a difficult topic! I have passed this book around to many friends! Awareness is key to Prevention) • I Said No! A kid-to-kid guide to keeping your private parts private • My Body Belongs to Me Helping kids Learn about God and teaching good Morals to live by (VeggieTales) • Every Day with God: 365 Daily Devos for Boys • Growing Day by Day: 365 Daily Devos for Boys Helping Kids learn responsibility with money: • Junior's Adventures: the Boxed Set • The Berenstain Bears' Dollars and Sense • Financial Peace Junior Parent books: I have read over 30 books and these are the ones I liked • Raising Boys With ADHD: Secrets for Parenting Healthy, Happy Sons (LOVE this book, great resources. I have been using it for 3 years now. It is categorized by age and the challenges that come with that age) • Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach (APA Lifetools) • Smart Money Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money • Driven to distraction • The strong willed child • Parenting isn’t for cowards (I just started reading but seem good so far)
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2017
G
Verified Purchase
gayle h. swift
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Good Reminders to Parents & Kids, e.g., Identifying Something as "Funny" Does Not Make It Less Hurtful
Format: Paperback
What Were You Thinking? by Bryan Smith and illustrated by Lisa M. Griffin addresses common moments from a child’s life. As many parents and teachers can vouch, the answer to the title question is frequently that the child wasn’t thinking at all; they operated on impulse. Or, they were thinking but their behavior was highly unlikely to produce their expected result. This book helps kids see that doing the first thing that comes to mind may not be their best choice. It might even accomplish the opposite of their intended goal. It also shows how kids sometimes expect something to be funny when it can actually cause others–classmates, teachers, coaches and parents– to be annoyed instead of entertained. Sometimes the “cost” of the laughter they seek, far exceeds the momentary rush of any attention. The illustrations invite exploration of the book’s theme and make obvious that Braden’s idea of funny does not necessarily match his classmates” feelings. This can lead to conversations about the range of responses one can see within an entire classroom of kids. What Were You Thinking? outlines a simple four step strategy which kids can practice to help them smooth out their responses and ensure that the result they get is the one which they want. A brief Tips for Parents and Educators is included which offers further information on how to guide children to develop better impulse control. Can also open conversation about intentions & how humor doesn’t lessen the pain of hurtful remarks/behavior. AQ Lens: Kids who have experienced trauma, grief and or loss may have weak impulse control, high distractibility. Or they may have been taught negative and/or inadequate behavior strategies. In addition to learning better strategies, these kids may also have to unlearn negative strategies. This book offers another tool for helping kids fine-tune their emotional literacy and expand their menu of choices. By exploring the gap between intended goal and actual results, families can teach kids to recognize and choose strategies that serves them better. --Gayle H. Swift, ABC, Adoption & Me: A Multicultural Picture Book"
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2016
L
Verified Purchase
Lynn
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Son's behavior changed immediately!
Format: Paperback
Our 4-yr-old son was not following directions at school. His teacher had come back from maternity leave and he had gotten into some bad habits while she was gone. After reading this book he memorized all the steps and repeats them multiple times a day. It's only been one week but he has been a different child entirely -- an angel! We had been talking to him for 9 months about "making good choices" but had never qualified that a good choice was one that makes the situation better (and a bad choice one that makes the situation worse). Apparently that was key! I'm not surprised that this was written by an educator who probably saw a lot of success by clarifying this distinction with his students. I'm sure my son's amazing behavior won't last forever, but it's great to simply know that he has it in him to control his impulses. We are going to make little print-outs of the 4 steps to let him have them at school and share these tips with his teacher so she can prompt him with the same language. Great, great book!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2019

recommand products