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Elephant Bush

Plant care guide

How to care for Elephant Bush

Portulacaria afra (including 'Variegata' / Rainbow Elephant Bush)

Care level: Easy

Elephant bush is a tough South African succulent with small, round, glossy leaves on reddish stems, and it can be shaped into a charming little tree or allowed to trail. The rainbow form adds cream and pink to the leaves, while the green form grows faster and is nearly unkillable in a sunny window.

Also known as: Elephant Bush, Rainbow Elephant Bush, Variegated Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade, Miniature Jade, Elephant Food, Spekboom, Portulacaria afra

Just arrived? Your first week at home

  1. Unbox it right away and brush off any loose soil or leaves; a few dropped leaves in transit is normal.
  2. Place it in your brightest spot, ideally right in a south or west window.
  3. Do not water on arrival unless the soil is bone dry; succulents ship better dry and roots can rot if watered while stressed.
  4. After about a week, water thoroughly if the soil is completely dry.
  5. Keep it away from cold windows at night in winter and from blasting heater vents.
  6. Hold off on repotting for at least two weeks.

Every plant is covered by our 30-day plant health guarantee. If your plant arrived damaged or isn't doing well, email a few photos to support@rootandreachbotanicals.com and we'll help you troubleshoot or make it right.

Light

Give it as much light as you can, ideally right in a south or west window with several hours of direct sun. An east window works but growth will be slower. The rainbow form is a bit more sensitive, so give it bright light with some protection from the harshest afternoon sun, and move any plant into stronger sun gradually.

Water

Let the soil dry out completely, then water thoroughly until it runs out the drainage hole. That usually means every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and every 4 to 6 weeks in winter. Soft, wrinkled leaves mean it is thirsty, while yellow, translucent, mushy leaves or a blackening stem mean too much water.

Humidity

Average or dry household air is perfect. It does not need misting or extra humidity, and good airflow helps keep it healthy.

Temperature

It is comfortable between 60 and 85 F and tolerates warm summers well. Keep it above 50 F and away from frosty glass in winter. It can spend summer outdoors in a sunny spot, but bring it in before nights drop below 50 F.

Soil & repotting

Plant in a gritty cactus and succulent mix, ideally with extra pumice or perlite, in a pot with a drainage hole. Terra cotta helps the soil dry faster. Repot every two to three years in spring when it outgrows its pot, going up only one size.

Feeding

Feed once a month in spring and summer with a cactus or balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength. Do not feed in fall or winter.

Troubleshooting common problems

  • Dropping leavesusually a sudden change in light, cold drafts, or a long dry spell; keep conditions steady and water when fully dry.
  • Leggy, stretched stemstoo little light; move it to a sunnier window and prune back to encourage branching.
  • Mushy stems or yellow, see-through leavesoverwatering; cut away rotted parts, let it dry, and water less.
  • Variegated leaves turning all greenrainbow form needs bright light to hold its color; remove fully green shoots.
  • Mealybugswhite fuzz in leaf joints; treat with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.

Tips to help it thrive

  • It is one of the easiest succulents to propagate; snip a stem cutting, let it dry for a few days, then set it in dry succulent mix and water lightly after a week.
  • It takes pruning beautifully and is a favorite for beginner bonsai.
  • Pinch the tips in spring to make it bushier and fuller.

Pet safety

Elephant Bush isn't specifically named in the ASPCA's plant database, and it isn't known to be toxic. As with any houseplant, keep it out of reach of pets that like to chew.

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