Photo: Henry de LangeCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Elephant Bush Plant Care
Portulacaria afra Jacq.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Portulacaria afra is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa. These succulents commonly have a reddish stem and green leaves, but a variegated cultivar is often seen in cultivation.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Elephant Bush?
Water Elephant Bush every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 30–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Elephant Bush Native To?
What Is the Elephant Bush?
Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) belongs to the Didiereaceae family within the Portulacaria genus. Elephant Bush is native to South Africa. Elephant Bush is also known as Spekboom, Porkbush, Dwarf Jade Plant.
Elephant Bush displays a low-growing, spreading succulent growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Elephant Bush produces small pink or white star-shaped flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Elephant Bush?
Portulacaria afra requires watering every 14–21 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Elephant Bush Need?
Elephant Bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Elephant Bush Prefer?
Portulacaria afra grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Elephant Bush prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Elephant Bush?
Sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Elephant Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Elephant Bush?
Feed Elephant Bush every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Elephant Bush?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Elephant Bush?
Elephant Bush can be propagated through stem cuttings, leaf cuttings.
Is the Elephant Bush Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Elephant Bush, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Elephant Bush?
Elephant Bush is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Elephant Bush Need?
Elephant Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Elephant Bush is native to South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Elephant Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10a – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Elephant Bush is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Portulacaria genus — compare its care with other Portulacaria species on PlantoScan.
Portulacaria is part of the Didiereaceae plant family — browse all Didiereaceae genera and species.
Elephant Bush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Portulacaria afra Jacq., family Didiereaceae (first published in Collectanea 1: 160 (1787)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Elephant Bush, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Henry de Lange, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10a – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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