SKU: 14004480871
elephant plant succulent care

elephant plant succulent care Shop 'Elephant bush - Portulacaria afra' Care and Info

Sale price$26.19 Regular price$29.10
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $7.28 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Sep 6 - Sep 11

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

elephant plant succulent care 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: 14004480871

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell elephant plant succulent care

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 20 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
A
April
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 3
It was a good read.
Format: Kindle
While I did enjoy the book, it moved a little fast with little plot development. Rose started strong and then she seemed to get weaker and weaker throughout. Even the parts where she found her back bone didn’t compare to her initial anger towards her family. Lena was a good character. A little huffier than I liked but overall well rounded. Overall, I enjoyed the book, it just wasn’t my favorite.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2025
M
M.R.C.
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Love Vampire Stories
Format: Kindle
Really enjoyed this, a change of pace for most vampire stories.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2026
S
Shauna Delaney
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 4
Lovely sapphic vampire and human romance!
Format: Kindle
I was given an ARC copy of A Rose For The Taking by author Katie Trapp. Thank you Katie for the chance to be an ARC reader. A Rose For the Taking is a sapphic vampire and human romance with topics of arranged marriage, self-discovery, and a little bit of mystery. Rose is a human, who is pressured by her family to enter an arranged marriage with a vampire, Lina. Lina is a vampire whose job is to maintain the peace between vampires and humans. With tensions rising between the two Lina agrees to marry a human in order to hopefully ease those tensions. Lina chooses Rose expecting to be friends, but nothing else. Instead love starts to blossom between the two as Rose learns to find her inner strength and stand up for herself, while Lina learns to open up her heart again. However, a threat causing the tension between the humans and vampires puts there love at risk as well. The journey these two characters take is so relatable. Rose has been taught by her family to be subservient and basically have no voice. Lina has grown closed off in terms of romance due to her past experience. Together they go through a process of self discovery and fall in love during the process. They aren't perfect though with some ups and downs, which makes this story even more relatable. This book has it all. There is growth of characters finding themselves, a spicy romance, and a little bit of mystery that blended together creates a story you don't want to put down till you finish it. I have read a few of Katie Trapp's books so far and each one has captured me in some way and just drawn me in. Katie has a way with words that you can somehow relate to the characters in one way or another. This one was no different and I enjoyed this book a lot. If you like vampire and human romance this is the book to read. I look forward to Katie's next book.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2025
J
Verified Purchase
Jennifer
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Ford.Grant. That is all
Format: Kindle
Umm ok so this was literally the most PERFECT thing. This book is special. These characters are special and beautiful, and so wonderful. So precious. I love them all. I love this book. I'm blown away. You know those rare books that enchant you from the very first sentence, the ones that grab your heart and don’t let it go? THIS. This is one of those books. I adore this book with my entire heart. It was so utterly perfect in all the best and right ways. I honestly just wish I could go back and read this again for the first time because it was SO GOOD. I devoured this in two days and was just absolutely giddy while reading about Ford and Rosie’s love story. I swear, Elsie Silver wrote my love language with these two. The sarcastic and witty exchanges between them is what I absolutely loved and couldn’t get enough of. Their attraction towards one another and the fact they were so clearly head over heels in love was undeniable and the tension between the two of them was so palpable that it gave me all the feels. My heart absolutely ached for these two, even when I was literally laughing out loud over their banter. And boy, the way they loved each other just swept me off my feet in my most favourite way. I don’t know what my favourite part of this story was. There isn’t just one. There’s many. It’s all of it. There’s so much to it that if I was to really dive into it, I’d come out with an essay. All of that to say, I loved it. I really, really loved this story. Soul level and all the good stuff. I cannot say anything bad about this book. It’s up there as one of my all-time favourites and I love it with every fibre of my being. A million hats off to Elsie Silver for this one, because I know this is a story I’ll be thinking about for a long time. Elsie Silver can truly do no wrong. She is the blueprint, and I will read her books forever.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2024
D
Verified Purchase
Dawn S.
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 4
Banter and tension and a little storm cloud perfection
Format: Kindle
I'm convinced that Elsie Silver puts some sort of crack in her books. They are always exciting and immediately grab you, especially with the characters. And Wild Love is no exception. Great characters all around with such a perfect journey to their HEA. You know the kind of relationship you might have with a friend's younger sibling? The one where you're kind of mean but maybe deep down you like them? Like the juvenile antics of pulling the girl's ponytail on the playground when you are just a kid? THAT is Ford and Rosie! From when they were teens to even now as adults and I frickin loved the fire banter that gave them. These two are hilarious together, yet you could feel their tension was building up to something even more. "That journal entry is fascinating, but all wrong. I was at home when you called that night. And I broke every speed limit to get to you." While I absolutely loved Ford and Rosie's characters and the way they played off one another, I actually really liked another character and the relationship she had with both Rosie and Ford. And she's the little storm cloud that no one saw coming. She is the reason I initially fell for Ford from the first chapter. Because if you weren't already swooning at the very beginning of this story for Ford Grant, then this may not be the book for you. But the way this man steps up for a stranger claiming that she's his daughter and he just does 'the right thing' is unheard of. Maybe slightly unbelievable, but this is why we read romance and that is why there are Ford Grants. Because we see that decision is totally and 100% him over the course of the story. And that girl? Cora? She is the perfect character to upend his world for a time. Loved how they made their situation work and I loved how everything grew not only between the two of them, but also between her and Rosie. Small things became big things with these 3 and I couldn't have loved it more. Elsie Silver gave us such a great start to a brand new series. The characters are sexy and hilarious and just work together perfectly. I cannot wait to continue with this series. If you enjoy: Single Dad Small town Frenemies to lovers Best Friend's sister with the best cast of characters that delivered great banter and sizzling chemistry, then Wild Love is THE book to pick up!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2024

recommand products