SKU: 78728005815
elephants food succulent

elephants food succulent Buy Elephant's Food Phoenix, AZ | Portulacaria afra

Sale price$26.46 Regular price$29.40
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $7.35 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

elephants food succulent Buy Elephant's Food Phoenix, AZ | Portulacaria afraThe Best Drought Tolerant Privacy Shrub for Phoenix & Scottsdale Elephant's Food (Portulacaria afra) is Phoenix's #1 choice for a fast growing, ultra low water privacy shrub that delivers lush, year round structure with virtually no maintenance. This South African native reaches 815 feet tall with dense, succulent foliage on eye catching reddish brown stems creating a thick, living wall that thrives in the most punishing Arizona heat. Whether you're

The Best Drought-Tolerant Privacy Shrub for Phoenix & Scottsdale

Elephant's Food (Portulacaria afra) is Phoenix's #1 choice for a fast-growing, ultra-low-water privacy shrub that delivers lush, year-round structure with virtually no maintenance. This South African native reaches 8–15 feet tall with dense, succulent foliage on eye-catching reddish-brown stems — creating a thick, living wall that thrives in the most punishing Arizona heat. Whether you're building a privacy screen in Scottsdale, a poolside backdrop in Chandler, or a sculptural accent in Mesa or Gilbert — Elephant's Food delivers outstanding results on minimal water and care.

Elephant's Food Plant Details

Attribute Detail
Scientific Name Portulacaria afra
Common Names Elephant's Food, Elephant Bush, Spekboom, Porkbush
Mature Height 8–15 feet
Mature Width 8–15 feet
Growth Rate Fast — 1–2 feet per year in Phoenix conditions
Sun Full sun to partial shade. Thrives with reflected heat from walls and hardscape.
Water Very low once established. One of Arizona's most drought-tolerant shrubs.
USDA Zones 9–11 (Phoenix is Zone 9b–10a)
Soil Well-draining. Highly adaptable to Arizona caliche soils.
Foliage Evergreen — small, round succulent leaves; reddish-brown stems year-round
Bloom Color Pink (small star-shaped flowers in spring)
Native Region South Africa (proven performer in desert climates worldwide)

Elephant's Food Uses in Phoenix Landscapes

Privacy Hedge and Screening

Elephant's Food is one of the fastest ways to build a dense privacy screen in the Phoenix Valley. With its thick, succulent foliage and upright growth habit, it forms an impenetrable green wall that blocks sightlines from neighboring homes, streets, and pools. Plant 4–5 feet apart for a fast hedge, or 6–8 feet apart for a looser screen. Density guide: 20 ft fence — 5 plants / 40 ft fence — 10 plants. Pair with Texas Sage or Desert Spoon for a layered desert look that's both beautiful and functional.

Poolside Planting

Elephant's Food is one of the best plants for pool-adjacent landscaping in Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Tempe. Its succulent leaves don't drop in ways that clog filters, it handles reflected heat and water splashing without complaint, and its root system is non-invasive. The reddish stems and green foliage create a lush, tropical look that makes pool areas feel like resort-style retreats. It pairs beautifully with Ruellia or Bird of Paradise for a bold, colorful poolside planting.

Sculptural Accent and Modern Desert Design

Few plants offer the sculptural quality of a mature Elephant's Food. The twisted reddish branches and dense round leaves create striking architectural interest whether planted as a single specimen, used as a backdrop, or trained into a multi-trunk tree form. In modern desert landscapes across Chandler, Peoria, and Glendale, Elephant's Food is increasingly used as a high-impact focal point surrounded by decomposed granite or black gravel. For a bolder statement, pair it with a giant agave or sculptural cactus.

Wildlife-Friendly and Eco-Landscape

Elephant's Food is a proven wildlife magnet in Phoenix yards. Hummingbirds, native bees, and butterflies flock to the small pink spring flowers, and birds use the dense canopy for nesting and shelter. It's also one of the most carbon-sequestering plants on the planet — Spekboom forests in South Africa are celebrated for their ability to capture CO₂ at rates rivaling forests. If you're building a pollinator garden in Gilbert or Mesa, Elephant's Food belongs on your list.

Best Time to Plant Elephant's Food in Phoenix

Fall (October–November) is the ideal planting window. Warm soil temperatures encourage rapid root development, while cooler air temperatures reduce transplant stress. A fall-planted Elephant's Food gets 6–8 months of root establishment before its first Phoenix summer, setting it up to thrive for decades. Spring (February–April) is the second-best window. Avoid summer planting if possible — if you must plant in summer, provide afternoon shade for the first few weeks and water more frequently until the plant is established.

How to Plant Elephant's Food

  1. Dig wide, not deep — excavate a hole 2–3 times the width of the root ball and the same depth. Wide holes encourage lateral root spread.
  2. Check for caliche — break through any hardpan caliche layer to ensure water can drain freely. Poor drainage is the #1 killer of Elephant's Food in Arizona.
  3. Backfill with native soil — Portulacaria afra thrives in lean soil. A light 20% organic amendment is fine, but avoid heavy compost or peat.
  4. Spacing — 4–5 feet apart for a dense privacy hedge; 6–8 feet apart for a looser screen; 8–10 feet apart for individual specimens.
  5. Water basin — build a 3–4 inch raised ring of soil around the outer edge of the root zone to direct irrigation water to the roots during establishment.
  6. Mulch — apply 2–3 inches of bark mulch or gravel around the base to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Keep mulch 2–3 inches away from the trunk.

Watering Elephant's Food in Phoenix

First Year Watering Schedule

Consistent watering during the first year is critical to successful establishment, even for a drought-tolerant plant like Elephant's Food:

  • Weeks 1–2: Water every 1–2 days, deep and slow (20–30 minutes per session)
  • Month 1–2: Reduce to every 3–4 days as roots begin to spread
  • Month 3–6: Every 7–10 days (increase to every 5–7 days during peak summer heat above 110°F)
  • After Year 1: Every 10–14 days in summer; every 3–4 weeks in winter. Established plants handle long dry stretches with ease.

Drip Irrigation

Place drip emitters 18–24 inches from the trunk and use 1–2 GPH emitters per plant. Run for 30–45 minutes per session to ensure deep penetration. Once established, Elephant's Food requires very little supplemental irrigation in Phoenix and can often survive on rainfall alone in non-peak months — one of the most water-efficient large shrubs available in the Valley.

How fast does Elephant's Food grow in Phoenix?
In Phoenix's warm climate and full sun, Elephant's Food typically grows 1–2 feet per year. With regular water during the first two years, some plants can grow even faster, reaching 6–8 feet in just 3–4 years.

Is Elephant's Food truly drought tolerant once established?
Yes — once established (typically after 12–18 months), Portulacaria afra is one of the most drought-tolerant large shrubs available for Phoenix landscapes. Its succulent leaves store water, allowing it to withstand extended dry periods. It may drop some leaves during extreme drought but will rebound quickly once watered.

What's the difference between Elephant's Food and Elephant Bush?
They're the same plant. Portulacaria afra goes by many common names — Elephant's Food, Elephant Bush, Spekboom, and Porkbush are all the same species. At Three Timbers, we also carry a Variegated Elephant's Food with cream and green leaves, which is a slightly slower-growing variety with the same tough characteristics.

Can Elephant's Food handle Phoenix's reflected heat?
Absolutely. Portulacaria afra is native to the harsh, rocky hillsides of South Africa and was built for intense sun and radiant heat. It thrives planted against stucco walls, along south-facing fences, and in areas that would stress most other plants. It's one of the few large shrubs that can handle Phoenix's worst west-facing exposures.

Does Elephant's Food work near pools?
Yes — it's one of the best pool-adjacent plants in the Phoenix area. Its succulent leaves don't create significant litter, its roots are non-invasive, and it handles water splash and humidity without issues. It's a popular choice for creating resort-style poolscapes in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

You May Also Like

Variegated Elephant's Food — The same tough, water-wise species in a striking cream-and-green variegated form, perfect for a brighter, more decorative look.

Dwarf Elephant's Food — A compact, slower-growing variety that tops out around 4–5 feet, ideal for borders, containers, and smaller spaces.

Texas Sage — A native desert shrub with silvery foliage and purple blooms that pairs beautifully with Elephant's Food in privacy hedges and mixed borders.

Desert Spoon (Dasylirion) — A bold, architectural accent plant that complements the round, soft foliage of Elephant's Food with dramatic spiky structure.

Ruellia (Mexican Petunia) — A low-growing, prolific bloomer that pairs well at the feet of Elephant's Food hedges for a colorful, layered effect.

How Many Elephant's Food Do I Need?

For a fast privacy screen, space plants 4 to 5 feet on center. For a looser informal screen or where you want each plant to show its sculptural form, use 6 to 8 feet.

Screen run length Dense hedge (4 ft) Loose screen (6 ft)
20 ft 5 plants 4 plants
40 ft 10 plants 7 plants
60 ft 15 plants 10 plants

As a single specimen or multi-trunk feature, give it 8 to 10 feet of clearance so the twisted reddish branches can spread.

Elephant's Food Season-by-Season in Phoenix

  • Spring (Feb–Apr): Strong growth flush and small pink star flowers that draw bees and hummingbirds. Best second planting window after fall.
  • Summer (May–Sep): Peak growth in extreme and reflected heat, even on west-facing walls. Very low water once established. Monsoon humidity poses no problem for these waxy succulent leaves.
  • Fall (Oct–Nov): Prime planting season. Growth continues in the warm soil, giving roots months to establish before winter.
  • Winter (Dec–Jan): Evergreen and steady, but frost-sensitive. Tips and leaves can burn below about 28 to 30°F. In low desert cold snaps, cover young plants or expect cosmetic tip damage that flushes out again in spring.

At a Glance

✔ Evergreen   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Heat-Loving (Reflected-Heat Tolerant)   ✔ Pool-Friendly (Low-Litter)   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Hummingbird-Friendly   ✔ Low-Maintenance   ✔ Edible

Plant It With

  • Variegated Elephant's Food: the same tough species in cream and green for a brighter accent in the same bed.
  • Dwarf Elephant's Food: a low, spreading form that layers neatly at the feet of the tall hedge.
  • Texas Sage: silver foliage and purple blooms for color contrast along a privacy screen.
  • Desert Spoon: spiky architectural form that plays off the soft round succulent leaves.

Is Elephant's Food Right for Your Yard?

It thrives in full sun and brutal reflected heat, drains-happy caliche, and needs almost no water once established, making it one of the best fast privacy shrubs in the low desert. The one caveat is frost: it is tender below about 28 to 30°F, so in cold pockets plan to cover young plants on hard frost nights or accept some tip burn that regrows in spring. Not the best fit for a spot that stays wet or poorly drained, since soggy roots will rot a succulent like this.

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: 78728005815

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell elephants food succulent

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.2 ★★★★★
Based on 20 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
C
Verified Purchase
Clifden
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Cleans pretty good, and the app is great.
Color: White
Have 2 cats and this helps manage the hair. The lidar works great, it won't drive off a balcony or down stairs, and can map rooms pretty quickly. Obstacle avoidance is usually good, but it clearly cannot detect wires. If you have a bunch of cords under a desk or TV stand or something, it will tangle itself up in the cords. Which is where the app comes in, you can set areas where it is not allowed to go. Just didn't allow it where my cords are piled up and have had no issues since. You can also set it to not get too close to a balcony or staircase, which is good peace of mind, even though the lidar seems to do fine with that. You can also have multiple "map layouts" if you have a multi story house, and switch between them in the app. The app is very good. The dustbin isn't huge (by nature of the size of the robot), so if you have particularly hairy carpets it'll probably take a couple vacuums to really get all the hair out.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2026
R
Verified Purchase
Reba
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
My everyday helper
Color: Black
My house is 100% hardwood with throw rugs in various places. Two levels. Two minimally shedding dogs until their hair is very long. But they do still have hair fall. I also have a gravel driveway and lots of kids and grandkids. I purchased several vacuums prior to this one trying to figure out a solution. I do still love my Oreck upright and find this robo vac its perfect companion. I have had the Roborock Q10 for 4 months now. There have been times when I definitely had to pay attention to it and clean sensors or re-pair to the WiFi. (When I changed WiFi password) And as you can see in my video, I still have to vacuum the rugs. I actually have the vacuum programmed to avoid the thicker rug under my kitchen table. She (the vacuum we named Crystal) got stuck a couple of times between the legs of my kitchen chairs. So I just changed her parameters to avoid the area. I also have my mother’s room off limits in case she leaves her door open. If Crystal finds an open door, she will absolutely go in to do her job. As a matter of fact, she went right out the front door once when someone left it open. My mom and Crystal have a fun “relationship” mom texts me whenever she’s doing something or says, “returning to dock”. She swears she follows her around and giggles at her. I have stopped using the mop. The mopping pad has to be rinsed prior to each use (to wet it) and after if you’re good. And the bucket for water is very small. The floors are so clean of debris that I mop less often now anyway so I don’t mind. However, I realize I don’t need the mop for a future purchase. I suppose if I decide to use it once in a while, it’s still worth having. I did have to find the bags and ordered separately. This unit comes with one bag. They were inexpensive and super easy to change out. The feeling of coming home with no debris along the baseboards is life changing. Clean floors are a must for every home in my opinion. My brain just works better when my floors are clean. We view Crystal as a member of the family now and treat her with great respect. We keep her clean and pay attention when she’s alerting us of anything. Even though she could do two floors, (mapping capacity) I am considering purchasing a second one for the basement. I can’t imagine having to carry her back up and down the stairs when she needs to empty or charge. I have suggested to many of my friends to purchase this for their families. I do also have several low pile rugs that Crystal vacuums and does an amazing job. But I would think anything high pile or shaggy might be difficult for her. Buy it, name it, keep it clean, and enjoy clean floors with minimal effort. 10/10 even with the minimal maintenance. She is such a hard little worker.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2026
C
Verified Purchase
C and C
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
User friendly and I highly recommend
Color: White
I recently purchased the Manvins Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo with WiFi capabilities, and it has been a game-changer for keeping my home clean. The setup was incredibly easy, and I was able to connect it to my smartphone in minutes using the app. Once connected, I can schedule cleaning sessions, monitor progress, and control the vacuum and mop remotely, which is super convenient. The vacuum picks up dust, pet hair, and debris effortlessly, even from carpets. The mop function is a nice bonus, and it does a great job of leaving floors streak-free. I was surprised at how well it handled both tasks simultaneously, and it’s great to not have to worry about switching between modes The WiFi feature really shines when I’m away from home. I can activate the cleaning process from anywhere, and it returns to its charging station when it’s done. It even maps out my home as it cleans, ensuring that it doesn’t miss any spots. Overall, this robot vacuum and mop combo has made cleaning much more efficient, and I love how easy it is to keep my floors spotless with minimal effort. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for a smart, reliable cleaning solution! Sent from my iPhone
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2024
L
Verified Purchase
Lindsey
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent vacuum!!
Color: White
This is a hard working little robot. It cleans dirt and debris so easily and even gets the Arizona dust that accumulates everyday. I have a cat the sheds and 4 boys plus my husband and this vacuum works like a champ. I haven’t tried the mop feature yet because I just haven’t sat down and read the directions. I’ll update when I try that feature out. I love that it can go under my furniture and climb up rugs, even my cat scratch boards. I 100% recommend this vacuum. It has changed my house keeping routine and saves me a ton of time. I absolutely love it and you can’t beat the price!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2025
A
Verified Purchase
Aileen K
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Pleasantly surprised.
Color: White, Color: White
Based on the price I wasn't expecting much but boy was I wrong. I'm so impressed and thrilled with this purchase. I have a long haired Maine Coon and it picked up so much fur. It picked up thread, small pieces of yarn and feathers from my pillows. I watched the long front brushes pull dust and dirt out from under spaces that my regular vacuum would never get without moving things. I have carpet, hardwood, throw rugs and even a long shag throw by my bed that it maneuvered over mostly easily. I helped it over one or two transitions but it never got stuck. Just turned and kept going. The mop worked great. Only concern is that it only uses water so it's not a deep clean but the pad was dirty and once it dried I threw it into the wash. Definitely will use it in between a deeper cleans making cleaning a whole lot easier. With a cat shredding the carpet on a scratching post and all of his fur I was shocked how packed the dirt cup was and how great the house looked with all the little bits of scratching pole, oh yeah and card board scratching pad cleaned up so easily. I highly recommend. The cat thinks it's a cat toy so he kept starting it up. I had to cover it to protect it from the cat. It now lives under it's very own plastic bin. 🙂
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2025

recommand products