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is elephant bush a succulent

is elephant bush a succulent Shop 'Elephant bush - Portulacaria afra' Care and Info

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Description

is elephant bush a succulent 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.

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Vanessa
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Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2026
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Heidi Reimer
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This stuff transformed my skin in 5 days! I’ve had issues with random breakouts and redness ever since I turned 40 and have had difficulty finding a product that actually helps those issues. I incorporated this product into my daily routine for the last 5 days and my skin is clear, moisturized, super soft and redness/breakout free. I use this after washing my face and applying toner; I use just enough to cover my face as a little goes a long way. It has a very loose, almost oily consistency but spreads easily and doesn’t make your skin feel greasy at all. Once it’s absorbed into my skin, I apply my moisturizer. I would definitely recommend this to anyone with skin redness and dryness, it’s a game changer!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2026
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Kathryn Magendie
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
I think this will help my rosacea redness!
Update: after using this 2 months, I will be reordering. The rosacea redness to my cheeks and nose have drastically reduced. I use it every other day. I tried a routine of on alternating mornings using vitamin c one day and this Anua azelaic acid the next. Cleanse, tone, azelaic acid, and then whatever I'm doing next (including SPF if I'm going outside). I don't use it at night, preferring a different routine with actives at night. I don't use the hypochlorous acid on my face very often at all now so the Anua is doing the work of hydrating and helping calm my skin. Note that I have aging skin that likely could be prone to dryness but I am meticulous about my skincare so my skin isn't dry - so though they advertise it's for blemish-prone skin, I use it for rosacea redness, and alternating plus hydrating before and after azelaic acid is what works for my skin. ------ The first time I tried this over my entire face, it made my face immediately red so I considered returning it. However, I had used other serums and thought maybe it was just too much at once for my rosacea-prone skin, and that I used too much as well. (I will add that I did a small patch test along my jawbone and let that absorb for hours - always do a patch test of an unfamiliar product!) After a couple of days, I tried it again, and I am impressed! This time, I hadn't used my tretinoin the night before - since I just went up in strength, my skin has been reactive. This time I cleansed my face using Thayer's milk cleanser, which is very soothing, and in fact is one of the only non-Korean beauty products in my skincare routine. Then I used my TirTir milky toner. I waited 5-10 minutes, then I applied just a little bit of this Anua Azelaic Acid over my entire face. I was very surprised that there was no burning or irritation. And also surprised that a few minutes later some of the redness on my cheeks were calmed down--nothing earthshaking but there was a slight difference. I let that absorb/sit for about 10 minutes and then I applied my Cosrx ceramide booster serum, which is very hydrating, and after letting that absorb for 5 or 10 minutes, I applied my Cosrx snail music to further hydrate. I'll be applying another moisturizer to seal it all in. I tried it again the next day and had similar results - again, not using my tret the night before or the C the same morning. This likely, at least at first, won't be a part of my daily routine as I think it could be too strong for my skin along with the other actives I use. For example, I won't use it when I apply my vitamin C until I lower the strength or until my skin is used to the azelaic acid, and I definitely wouldn't use it right before or right after tretinoin. I will do as they suggest and at first use it maybe 2x a week, so on weekends when I don't use my tretinoin or vitamin c, I will use this Anua azelaic acid. After doing this for a couple weeks, I may experiment and start using it more often --perhaps alternating this and my vitamin c since my vitamin c is really strong. As well I may consider lowering my vitamin c strength, and go back to the lower strength tret. (Update: I was out of town so I took a 4-day break from tret and vitamin c and tried this every morning after toning with hypochlorous acid (I let the HA dry completely first), and this didn't irritate my skin at all, and in fact, helped the redness. I am going to find a way to add it to my routine maybe by alternating days using this and vitamin c.) This is fragrance free, which is a must for me. The consistency is thin but not overly watery - glides on easily. I bought mine on Spring Sale so I'm happy about that. I will also add that I use Metrocream, and hypochlorous acid spray (Prequel) on my skin a few times a week and that helps the redness as well. It's an experimental process to find what will be right for my rosacea and aging skin. I am hoping with regular use my redness will calm even more as I hate the flushing across my cheeks and nose that I've dealt with for many years. I'm hopeful!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2026
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shadow
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