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elephant trunk succulent

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

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Description

elephant trunk succulent 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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I was very happy with this purchase. The book came in almost perfect condition with an unused access code inside. There were a few minor bends/blemishes on the outside of the book, but none of them affected the content of the book.
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This book is forever my "go to" book to refer anyone to when it comes to knowing God's love. The few words I have to say here does not even come close to telling of the gratitude I have for Jack and Trisha Frost in the writing of this particular book. As a background, I experience God's loving hand of salvation on March 24th, 1986, when He literally stopped me from committing suicide. Over night my life changed, coming out of the darkness into His glorious light, eyes blinking, working to adjust to the brightness of the Son that had just entered into my once bound for hell life. Over the next twenty-five years I wandered aimlessly around the Kingdom, at times feeling even more lost then I did before entering in. Most of which I must confess came from not being raised in church. So not knowing the lingo, or proper edicts of church, I often fought my way home in tears, crying out to God over the fact that I just did not fit into this new world He had brought me. Over the years battling with the heartache of being what I felt, was a disappointment to the only One I have ever truly been in love with - God the Father. Then in 2011, God spoke to my spirit and said go now. Go? Okay, go where, and do I need to pack anything? I gathered a few things and moved to Houston the very next day. Standing in a bare room, no bed to sleep on, or even a chair to sit in, I asked Him (my go to question), "Where do I go from here, what next?" and as always He gave me sound advice. Go to school... I wasn't sure what He wanted me to study or where, but I found myself enrolling in a ministry school He led me to, and yes, it was at a church. The one place which held so much heartache for me [remember, I had never fit in], but obeying His call which was more important than acceptance. So I went... The very first book the class had us read was "Experiencing the Father's Embrace" by Jack and Trisha Frost. FINALLY, someone I could identify with, and a sea captain at that. When I think of how Jesus connected me with this fisherman's words, at just the right time, just went to show me, He's still willing to bring me into where I can truly belong (to Him). I opened this book and began to read, I found myself captivated by this man's openness and honesty. Then I get half way into the first chapter and I sit frozen, his words penetrate my heart and I know. I allowed Him to rescue me, but all the years since "I had" never allowed myself to get close enough to experience His embrace. I never knew my real father, my mother was murder when I was three, and then I was tossed to and fro from that point on. None of the men in my life ever gave a good example of what a loving "father's" embrace should be. If and when they did embrace me it was not what love could be defined as; and here I am, not only with "father" issues, but now talking about embracing; two words that I had never thought should be used in the same paragraph. Jack shared his testimony concerning a conference in November of 1995, and floored me in my chair over a decade later. He spoke of how God took him back to a moment in his life when he needed that loving embrace and comfort that a father's love should give. Then Jack said these words and my world came to a screeching halt, "I had heard all my Christian life that God loved me, but I had never lowered the walls of protection enough to receive personally a natural demonstration of His love and affection in some of my deepest pain." This man hit my nail right on the head, and it took me a very long time before I could read any further. It was God's love that rescued me, but it was Jack's testimony in this book that helped me find the freedom of knowing the Father's Embrace. I can't wait for the day when I can meet Jack face to face, and give him the kind of hug I so want to give him. Trish and I have become friends, I love her dearly. I can't express the love enough, even now today sitting here writing this, the tears stream with heart felt emotion. So would I recommend this book? Yes, I would HIGHLY recommend it, as well with any book by Jack and Trisha Frost. But this is the one. :) I pray you too will find this same freedom in becoming His sons and daughters.
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Boise, US
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What great Love the Father has for us!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2025

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