Portulacaria afra is not a dwarf jade plant. Elephant bush is a drought-tolerant plant, ideally suited to growing in arid, desert-like environments.. A fine hedging plant, this bush has small, fleshy, round leaves and becomes covered in small pink flowers in early summer. Scientific name: Portulacaria afra Synonyms: Spekboom, Bacon Tree, Pork Bush, Elephant’s Food, Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant. Portulacaria Afra ‘Elephant Bush’ propagates from the offsets. 10° - 26°C (50° - 78°F) Discover the unique items that SproutSucculents creates. In fact, like most succulents, elephant bush is easy to reproduce from cuttings. Propagation. 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. I pruned my Portulacaria bonsai otherwise known as Dwarf Jade, Elephant bush or Spekboom and now have a large selection of cuttings to grow as pre-bonsai. Indoors or outdoors suit it just fine. To be able to propagate from the mother plant, you should wait several years for the main plant to produce an offset. Portulacaria Afra Pronounced por-tew-luh-KAR-ee-uh AF-ruh is a bushy succulent shrub belonging to the Didiereaceae family. Portulacaria afra is a succulent shrub or small tree that spread horizontally with red stems and round, fleshy leaves. It is also known as Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade, Mini Jade, Elephant food, Chinese Jade Plant, Pork Bush, Rainbow Bush, Rainboe Elephant Bush, Spekboom (Afrikaans for bacon tree), miniature jade or small leaf jade (but not related to Crassula ovata … Probably the green leaved wild type is … The species' name, afra, is a specific epithet to the continent of Africa. In container gardens these plants will stay much smaller and are often used in bonsai to look like trees. Genus Portulacaria are shrubby succulents with fleshy stems, branches and leaves. A very hardy, drought-tolerant plant best grown in desert and succulent karoo gardens. It … It is what most Americans and Europeans call it. Like Like. The small, rounded, fleshy leaves are pale silvery-green with wide cream margins, carried on dark red stems. The reddish-brown stems sustain upward reaching up to be 8’ to 15’ feet tall. From the outset sight, numerous frequently think ‘afra’ is a smaller than expected Crassula ovata in light of their comparative appearance. At Etsy, we pride ourselves on our global community of sellers. Propagation of Elephant Bush Succulents. The plant is a succulent with fleshy, glossy leaves that grows as a small bush. As a succulent, it can grow in just about any environment. Portulacaria afra can be grown from seed or by propagation. P. afra ‘Prostrata’ and ‘Green Carpet’ are both low growing and make an excellent ground cover in dry areas. Portulacaria afra, "Porkbush" or “Spekboom“ is a popular succulent plant found on rocky slopes in the Karoo scrub and semi-arid landscapes. ... Propagation Cuttings. Another great hint is to let the cutting … Elephant bush houseplants (Portulacaria afra) thrive in bright light in a warm, draft free room. Portulacaria afra can form up to 80% of the elephant's diet. The Distribution of Portulacaria afra. This is natively to South Africa. see more; Family Didiereaceae . Portulacaria afra is an easy going succulent that has an attractive growth habit, with small green succulent leaves on a red coloured stem. Description of Dwarf Jade Plant, Portulacaria afra. You can find out everything you need to know about these plants right here. The species' leaves are also classed as a local delicacy, being used in salads and soups. Grow your Portulacaria afra indoors if you live in a temperate zone. To be on the safe side, I use cactus mix combined with perlite or a very porous mix like cactus jack. Portulacaria afra (UNF) elephant bush This plant can develop a stout succulent stem. This variety of Portulacaria … The images are showing the cultivar Portulacaria afra “Variegata” which isn’t a fast rooter. 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. In some areas, spekboom is used for fodder during droughts. Gardening in Tucson, Phoenix, Arizona and California. adamaskwhy says: June 27, 2015 at 4:22 pm. The elephant bush (Portulacaria Afra) is a native of South Africa. By supporting SproutSucculents, you’re supporting a small business, and, in turn, Etsy! Jan 20, 2020 - You searched for: SproutSucculents! This succulent plant is sometimes called Baby Jade or Elephant Food. Although a preferred name for this succulent is “Miniature Jade,” it is not connected to Crassula ovata. Reportedly, wild plants can grow to about fourteen feet tall. “Elephant bush” also is available in miniature as well as variegated kinds. Even though not related, some people say it resembles Crassula ovata “Jade”.I suppose it gets this comparison because it can grow a “woody” stem over time and appear “tree or shrub ” like. Portulacaria afra. More infos: it’s better to cover the pot with a freezer bag. 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. Portulacaria armiana is a large succulent-leafed shrub bearing grey-green leaves and long perennial whipstick-like branches with sprays of soft white flowers.It is endemic to the lower Orange River Valley, growing in the Ai-Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park. Portulacaria afra is an attractive and robust succulent shrub species that is grown around the globe and is often used ornamentally as a house plant, pruned to resemble a bonsai. When … They are only hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. To emphasize, take Portulacaria afra cuttings in spring or summer for best results. In this article, Andre Swart, a keen bonsai enthusiast shares of his 15 years of experience growing this species as bonsai. It usually grows up to 15 feet (4.5 m) … Click To Purchase. Keep it indoors in a small pot and it will stay a petite, bonsai plant. Elephants eat it, but you need not fear for your Portulacaria unless you have a pet pachyderm. Inconspicuous flowers are produced in small clusters Details 'Variegata' is a well-branched, succulent shrub that can reach 3m tall but is usually grown as a houseplant. Portulacaria afra plant prefers growing in dry, rocky slopes and outcrops. Portulacaria afra is a perfect inclusion to your indoor or outdoor succulent backyard/garden. Portulacaria afra sometimes is confused with Crassula ovata (Jade plant) because the plants look alike, but portulacaria leaves are smaller and the stems are wiry. Portulacaria afra is a sweet little trailing succulent. Temperature. 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. One of portulacaria afra’s common names is dwarf jade. You can also use an all-purpose potting soil (which is a cheaper alternative) and combine it with perlite, or a combination of these three materials I mentioned. Remove a leaf or stem, let it dry so the wound callouses over a little and then simply push it into a sharp propagating mix. Like most succulents Portulacaria afra is easy to grow from cuttings. it’s discovered developing in dry, rough inclines. Growing Elephant Food: Portulacaria afra flowers climate zones watering pruning propagation in hot, dry climates and Arizona and California. It has small round soft green glossy padded leaves with burgundy red stems. Gardening in Tucson, Phoenix, Arizona and California Back to Plant List. Although it’s recommended that you grow it indoors for all the benefits we just laid out. Portulacaria Afra “Elephant Bush” is a ragged succulent bush having a place with the Didiereaceae family. Each Etsy seller helps contribute to a global marketplace of creative goods. Portulacaria Afra generally likes fast-draining soil. Growing Portulacaria Afra Bonsai from Seed or By Propagation. Portulacaria Afra-Elephant Bush Care, Types and Propagation - Succulent Plant Care Portulacaria Afra-Elephant Bush Plant Care, Types and Propagation. Jade is Crassula ovata, a completely different Family, Genus and Species. Mini Jade aka Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra 'Green') (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. Portulacaria Afra has small round leaves and thin branches like a miniature jade plant and are drought tolerant. Portulacaria afra grows 6 to 8 feet tall and spreads indefinitely.Use it as a backdrop plant, and/or prune into a hedge. The Portulacaria Afra or the Elephant Bush is a perennial succulent shrub native to South Africa. Many animals, including ostriches and elephants, feast on the sour-tasting foliage for nutrition. Spekboom. And it has as many names as it has uses. Going succulent that has an attractive growth habit, with small green succulent leaves and thin branches like miniature... 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