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bonsai tree elephant bush

bonsai tree elephant bush Shop 'Elephant bush - Portulacaria afra' Care and Info

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Description

bonsai tree elephant bush 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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This is a big ball.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2026
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Second one, first one lasted a good while
We leave it outside in the weather with solid results for our backyard dog, and the dog loves this thing. It's our go to toy for her, ... perfect for kick to fetch, tug of war, hide in the shirt, bump the human leg when it is wet, etc. ;) The first one we used and used and finally it started to show too much weathering, mildew, and finally breaking after like 1.5 years... we have extremely hot and wet weather here. When new though, these balls take a pounding. Our 50 pound dog can play tug of war to the extent we can pick her up while she holds onto the ball with her teeth. The ball doesn't flinch and the dog loves it. Kicking it is fun because you can give it a wallop and it won't go over the fence since the design absorbs a fair bit of the kick energy, but it is still enough for an adult or teen to send it about 1/4 an acre away. What else... oh the dog has a funny habit of finding the one spot that isn't an empty pentagon... as in the plastic is filled in there... and she likes to bit on that part especially during tug of war. I should also mention our dog literally breaks apart and sometimes eats sticks and twigs in the yard, can't be healthy, so a nice diversion is this ball that she will chew on once in a while without destroying it.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2022
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CJ
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★★★★★ 5
Absolutely love this brand of ball for my dog
I end up replacing these every couple years, yep that's right, years. My border collie will grab this ball in his mouth and then kick another ball around. Don't know why he has to have something in his mouth to play soccer, but he is unique. He managed to tear one of these up when he was in his teething stage, but it took him months, and I took it away as soon as he managed to remove a piece of it. Otherwise, we usually lose these much more often than them getting destroyed through constant chewing, and I suspect heavy weathering outside for an extended period of time. Nowadays he doesn't chew on rubber nearly that often, he has developed his own picky preferences. This ball is his must have for playing around. He loves to drop it down the stairs and play fetch with himself. It's easy for him to grab, it isn't heavy so we don't worry about furnishing, walls, or family members when he is tossing it around. It is much more durable than most, with the exception of really heavy chewers/teething, even then it held up for a long time. As long as you are careful to remove it if they manage to chew through I would even try it out with teething puppies. The lawnmower is also this balls nemesis, it loses every time. If only I could convince the dog that he needs to stop sacrificing toys to the lawnmower :-)
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Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2025
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Linda C.
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★★★★★ 5
Will Last!!!
My Saban is a black lab/pittie mix and is a very aggressive chewer with the bulldog jaws. I had bought the large ball for him and to be honest I didn't think it would be as big as it is or as heavy 😂😂😂!!! It's made of a very durable plastic and is holding up extremely well to his chewing on it!!! I'll be honest and say that unless you're using it outside and have some really good muscles in your arm that I would recommend buying this in the smaller size!!!! I normally play with him inside with his toys when the weather isn't good for going outside, but I don't throw this one inside because #1 it's so heavy and big that I can't throw it very good and # if I was to play with it inside I'm afraid the weight of it would break something!!! I would say that this is a great quality and very durable, but I wouldn't buy the large one again!!! I would definitely recommend this brand in a smaller size ball 👌 😊😊
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Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2023
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Great product...wish you had color options
My dogs love these balls, but I wish you could choose the color. This is my dog's favorite toy. He can play tug of war with his siblings, and the ball usually lasts for quite awhile. Considering they are usually pretty destructive puppers, this is a minor miracle. But, I can't just pick his favorite color and get it delivered. I have to play roulette, and pray that his color is the one that I get when I open the box. If they can allow us to choose the color(s) that we want, then this review will be upgraded to 5 stars.
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