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portulacaria afra care

portulacaria afra care Shop 'Elephant bush - Portulacaria afra' Care and Info

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Description

portulacaria afra care 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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Draper, US
★★★★★ 4
A Cheeky Novel about writing cheeky novels
Format: Paperback
Wired for Story is a book full of solid, albeit basic, advice for story tellers, and in particular writers trying to develop their craft. It succeeds in some areas while falls down in others, however I found it solid and well written overall. Where it succeeds is in its brevity and clarity. The author gets right to the point and even provides short lists at times of what to do and how to do it. Her writing is also peppered with cheeky humor which is humorous in a thats-almost-funny kind of way that is refreshing compared to the textbook style adopted by many how-to-write books. Where the book fell down, for me, was in its limited examples and scope. It really felt like the author was addressing romance writers, for the most part. I could think of a few counter examples to some of her rules, although one would have to leave the romance genre for those to work. But for a 230 page book, that is minor discrepancy. The second thing I noticed, which has already been pointed out by others, is that the brain science was limited. In fact, it was mostly only refereed to in footnote. Personally, that was fine with me, but I could see why it made others feel misled (it is in the title, after all).
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Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2014
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Martijn13Maart1970
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Unfortunately yet another one to add on the pile of writing books!
Format: Paperback
I say 'unfortunately another good book on writing' since I have been reading many books on the topic and each time I think I have read it all by now, pfff, but then another one like this comes along. But hey, it is fun to read about writing and especially if you get something useful and new out of it. Always worth the money. Why the accolades for this book? All the information on characters, plot, details etc, how they work and why they are important, is not new. You find them in many reading books, especially from Reader's and Writer's Digest series. I would especially recommend the books on plot and structure by James Scott Bell. Yet this book Wired For Story is not redundant, since it is unique in both the focus on the familiar subjects like what story is, the importance of details, details versus generics, how events affect a character etc. The approach of using brain science shows in a compelling way why all the stuff in the book (and for that matter, the classic theory on writing) is there for a reason, since it has evolved out of how we humans seem to perceive a story. Interesting though, a lot of rules like 'write about what you know' are shown to be myths. Of course, in the end it is you as a reader that has to decide what works for you, but you will find new things here and that is always good. If you are thinking about writing a story, this book can give you a very sharp focus on what to think about before you start. Or, like me, when you have a draft, and you want to get to the 'real story' behind it to come forward, this work gives you a very transparent way to get better clues as to what stays and what has to go. It is also entertaining and easy to read, so, all I can say is, yet again a book on writing you cannot afford to miss! I just added some extra information: I loved the humor and wisdom of the writer. She has worked for years reading manuscripts and she does know her stuff, and I liked her tone, which was both realistic but also fun! How many times have you read a reference work and actually had to laugh? But this book was also profound on many story issues. Many common writing rules are, as I said before, shown to be myths and more importantly, why this is so. I have read for instance so often that you should have some sensory info on every page, but, as I thought myself and I am not the only one: although this makes things more lively, it should only be there if the story would dictate it! The book has many more things like these. I have compiled a collection of notes I took from all the many many books on writing so I measure new books on writing in how much text I copied and pasted to look at again and this book has given me lots, so 5 stars and I hope we will see more of this author again! I also recommend the book by James Scott Bell on plot and structure which you can find here
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Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2012
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C. F. King
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Great book
Format: Kindle
I have been an author for decades and published 4 books. I've been an editor for over a decade and this book is perfect for seasoned and new writers. It certainly made me take a new, long look at the latest book I'm busy with. I think it's great for getting one focused on the important points. I loved it. There wasn't too much about how the brain works to bore one or make it feel like a technical book on neuroscience. I found her writing style amusing and entertaining. I will definitely recommend it to all my clients and writing friends. There was nothing in the book I didn't know, but this book forces one to focus on the bigger picture. It doesn't matter how accomplished one is as a writer, one can always learn more. And I certainly did with this book. So, thank you, Ms. Cron. I saw the negative three or fewer star comments and can only think the commentators didn't see what the author was actually trying to convey. It's a classic lesson in the KISS method (keep it simple stupid) and I loved it. This isn't a full-on, in-depth analysis of every part of the craft of writing, as many seemed to expect, that would take 12 full books or more. This is also not only for beginners as some suggest. To them I would say, don't let hubris cloud your ability to write better--think beyond that--read the book again. I think the book serves as an excellent reference to keep us on track when we lose the plot, so to speak. Seasoned writers can get quite jaded and write almost on auto-pilot at times--not good. Thank you, Ms. Cron, for putting me back on track and making me excited to re-write and re-edit my latest book, my first YA fantasy, for the zillionth time. I was out of my comfort zone with this book and feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure. Wired for Story has me fired up to go forth and do this. I highly recommend this book, especially for seasoned writers.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2018
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robert lanier
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Quality writing information
Format: Paperback
A book that was fun to read and informative. I feel as though I have a better understanding of writing fiction now.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2026
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Ron Mahon
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Thanks to a great new book ”Wired for story
Format: Kindle
I’ve written many books over the years, and published 40 or so. Once I started writing my first novel, I found out that all the old techniques just didn’t work. Thanks to a great new book ”Wired for story. The writer’s guide to using brain science. By Lisa Cron” Lisa studied and cataloged the works of several Neuro scientists. She explained all of that, plus how it applied to writing a novel. Better yet, she then shows us how to apply these techniques to where it counts. In addition, This changes the hierarchy of your novel. Ensuring that it’s focusing on what’s important to the brain. Using this new brain science, she proposes a completely new hierarchy of needs for your book. Moreover, the fact that the brain is trying to solve the problem of the protagonist. • “What happens” is the plot • “Someone” is the protagonist • The “goal” is what’s known as the story question • “How are he or she changes” is what the story itself is actually about. As counterintuitive as it may sound, the story is not about the plot or even what happens in it. Stories are about how we, rather than the world around us, change. The more your reader discovers the missing pieces to solving the protagonist's problem the more interesting if it is. It seems as the mind creates a mental stimulation of events described in the story. But he goes much deeper than that Details about actions and sensations that are captured from the text and integrated with personal knowledge from past experiences these data are then run through mental stimulation using brain regions a closely mirror those involved when people perform, imagine, or observe similar real-world activities. Haven’t you ever come home from a movie, reenacting that movie in your own mind? When the events of the story of filtering through the protagonist's point of view, allowing us to watch as she makes sense of everything. Seeing it in her eyes. This is not just like we see things. It’s that we grasp what they mean to her. Other words the reader must be aware of the protagonist personal effect on everything that happens. This is exactly where I fell apart on my novel is should be a first person third person. Lisa explains all these points of view, their advantages, and their disadvantages… My personal choices third person, omniscient. It also fixes another problem about tags. This technique is so powerful the third person doesn’t have to be bothered with he said;​ she said it’s so intuitive, it needs no explanation. It also settles a big dispute that I’ve always had the use of italic, quotes, and indented text. None are necessary. Some of the best examples that I’ve ever seen for show rather than tell. All the points that the author makes are demonstrated and explained with real examples from published articles. It’s like a five-year writing course that you can complete in three or four days. I bookmarked it extensively so that I can get back to those important points. Neuroscience also explains why social proof works so well. And a few hints on how to customize it, for your particular problem or opportunity. As a copywriter, one who writes advertising copy? I have long been aware of how to write directly to the subconscious mind. These techniques have been known for almost 100 years. We just didn’t know why they worked. Only that they did work. Thanks to Lisa for this fantastic book, I now know why they work.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2015

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