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jade portulacaria afra

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

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Description

jade portulacaria afra 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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Dark Angel
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 4
Worthwhile Read
Format: Hardcover
Extremely insightful.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2026
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William Echols
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Beyond the Usual Left/Right bifurcation
When thinking about Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States, I am reminded of E.H. Carr's seminal work "What is History?" whereby he stated: "The belief in a hard core of historical facts existing objectively and independently of the interpretation of the historian is a preposterous fallacy, but one which it is very hard to eradicate". As Carr famously stated, millions of people had crossed the Rubicon, but only Julius Caesar's crossing in 49 BC has been given normative value by historians. For those familiar with the philosophical treatment of historical understanding in Tolstoy's War and Peace, this sentiment will ring true. A People's History is designed to give voice to those millions who passed the rubicon but never found their way into the annuals of history. A couple of points. This book was intended to be a supplement as opposed to a strictly chronological account of history that will give you the bullet points for the most important people, dates and events. [sic] It is not meant to be a replacement for a more standardized textbook. Secondly, Zinn did not hate America, and he in fact stated: "I want young people to understand that ours is a beautiful country, but it has been taken over by men who have no respect for human rights or constitutional liberties. Our people are basically decent and caring, and our highest ideals are expressed in the Declaration of Independence, which was that all of us have an equal right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The history of our country, I point out in my book, is a striving, against corporate robber barons and war makers, to make those ideals a reality-and all of us, of whatever age, can find immense satisfaction in becoming part of that." Regardless of your political position, between the Great Recession and the Iraq war, there is a relevance to this sentiment that cuts across political lines. Now, what one will notice in the bulk of the one star reviews is the sense that either the reviewer has not read the book, they copied and pasted their criticism from another source or they have strictly given the book one star because it does not conform with their view of reality. "Blame America first", "socialism", "communism", "Marx, "liberal propaganda", you can easily get the gist of the talking points because many American conservatives apparently got the same memo in dismissing anything they don't agree with. The disservice they do to themselves and the sphere of ideas in the outright dismissal of any perspective which does not conform to their own is truly sad. When someone gives a book one star merely for not conforming to their view of reality,they have obviously lost the plot. In university I knew many conservative history professors who liked and used Zinn's work. They believed it was important to incorporate and deal with the claims that Zinn made. You cannot whitewash history and blindly stick by the most comforting narrative. That does not mean that one should agree with Zinn's conclusions or think that he has a monopoly on the truth. Zinn himself would not have wanted that. For those who claim Zinn is a socialist or any other kind of -ist, that he is not completely objective, they have obviously never done any research. Pure positivism was dismissed long ago. Even Max Webber started that our subjective bias comes in the moment we choose to study something, for by seeing the subject matter as valuable, we have placed a normative value on it. There is no pure value objectivity, stating one's position and bias from the outset is what responsible social scientists do these days. A dryly academic text with an obvious bias concealed by a detached form of writing gives a falsely omniscient perspective whose reality is psychological but not objective. However they write, they are just a person, and without expressing their biases it will inevitably turn up in their work without necessarily being obvious. This is far more dangerous than what Zinn does in stating his bias from the outset. So it is a red herring to dismiss Zinn for having a perspective. We all have one and it will come into whatever we do. There is no knowable, objective reality (for humans) living in the Platonic world of perfect forms. History was a puzzle of immeasurable size that was blown apart and the pieces scattered over the cosmos. The vast majority of the pieces are gone, never to return. We are stabbing at an imperfect speculation, not ultimate truth when we engage in historical study. Any physicist will tell you that the particle wave duality of light has pretty much closed the book on the notion that we can objectively, perfectly know anything. This book is important because the poison of partisan politics has come to dominate even the dialogue of academic research. If the sole criterion for giving a book one star is the notion that you don't agree with its thesis, then you obviously live in a fragile world and are incapable of being challenged intellectually. This book is of the upmost importance for the conservative to read and digest. In developing a coherent narrative of the United States, you need to wrestle with its sins and determine, despite our historical shortcomings and transgressions, what is it that makes this imperfect union the pinnacle of nation states if one agrees with that prospect. For the liberal, you should not view Zinn's work as the last word on anything, but rather use it as a stepping stone to further develop your own historical understanding and consider how well has American done on a relative scale in light of the political, societal and human failings that have marred all human civilizations. This book is well worth the challenges it presents, and should be a 5 star treat for the conservative who loves his country and wants to develop the most cogent and nuanced argument as to why that is the case despite those unsettling realities to be found in this book as well as the liberal who wants to give voice to his disaffection with certain aspects of American society and the reasons why we need to change it. This is not another tool in the mindless and poisonous Manichean bifurcation of American politics. It is a vehicle to help you strengthen and deepen your understanding of US history, regardless from which direction you are coming. Recommended to all who are interested in the journey of learning as opposed to a presupposed outcome that serves a vested interest.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2010
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Dr. Lee D. Carlson
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
A 50 carat learning gem
The teaching of American history in elementary and middle schools reminds one of the cleaning of a commode: any rings or crud are removed and the bowl is disinfected. It then looks shiny and pretty, as if no foul stuffs were ever deposited in it. The tall tales and antiseptic methodologies employed in the teaching of American history in these citadels of bias are finally being countered by some historians, who are also clearly biased but self-consciously so. They do not hesitate to study the foul stuffs that have been part of the history of the United States, and are willing to put up with the strong odors thereof. What results in their writings is a compilation of the facts that are left unreported by the sycophants of established educational hierarchies. The picture they paint is not a pretty one, but for those who desire the bare, naked truth, and not the stale platitudes of whitewashed historical analysis, it can be a grand viewing. The author of this book is one of these new historians, and he does not hesitate to dig deep into the real stories that have remained hidden for decades. Historical analysis of course is more then muckracking, and requires an accounting of what has occurred in the past without blinders. It also must put to rest the notion that historical events are controlled by a ruling elite, and the latter are not the distinguishing features of history. History is not a history of kings, queens, and princesses. They play a role but it is an ancillary one. The title of this book refreshingly reminds us of this. History is governed and directed by the actions of many individuals, known and unknown. The author calls them "the people", and their story is told unabashedly in this book. The author is clearly a socialist, but his attitude is one of a healthy skepticism towards government, and justified distrust of the military establishment. He reminds us that the draft was in place as early as the Revolutionary War, as were the exceptions granted for avoidance of it. For example in Connecticut Yale students and faculty were exempted from the draft, as were ministers and various government officials. There was also the familiar schism between officers and "ordinary" soldiers, and any in the latter class who chose not to respect this distinction were whipped severely. Wealthy individuals dominated the Continental Congress, but most "ordinary" soldiers were not getting paid. Some groups of "ordinary" soldiers rebelled and some executed by firing squad when the rebellion was suppressed (in one case by soldiers of George Washington himself who led the suppression). The author's commentary and documentation on the Revolutionary War certainly act as a counterexample against the belief that this war had universal support and thought of as a noble cause by the general populace of the time. The Revolutionary War, like all other wars, was an ugly, messy affair, and had its share of false patriotism, brutality, and cowardice, and it affected many other peoples that had no interest or stake in it: native American tribes such as the Iroquois and the Mohawk. These tribes did not come under the umbrella of the Declaration of Independence. Some of these tribes therefore launched, with complete justification, a guerilla war against the new American citizenry, especially when the latter decided to push westward and indulge itself in the forced acquisition of land. The author tells us of the smallpox biological warfare launched against the Appalachian tribes by the British, causing a major epidemic. He tell us of the thousands of black slaves who fought with the British in the Revolutionary War, as did the majority of the Indian tribes. He tell us of the keeping of slaves by Thomas Jefferson throughout his life, of the fact that most of the authors of the Constitution were men of wealth, and none were slaves, indentured servants, women, or men without property. He tell us of Shay's rebellion and its counter, the Riot Act, which allowed authorities to keep people in jail without trial, and of the defiance of Anne Hutchinson against the church fathers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He tells us of New Jersey's rescinding of women's right to vote in 1807, of a "feminist" movement as early as the 1840's, and of the founding in 1821 of the Troy Female Seminary by Emma Willard. The author reminds us that the war of 1812 was a conflict waged for expansion into Florida, Canada, and Indian territories, that Congress deliberately and without hesitation appropriated money for war against the Seminoles, and that President Van Buren openly bragged to Congress about the forced removal of Cherokees from lands east of the Mississippi. He reminds us of the doctrine of "manifest destiny" and its justification of the brutal war against Mexico waged by President James Polk in the 1840's with the jingoistic assistance of the newspapers (no other course would be rational some of them reported), with Mexico losing half its territory in the 1848 treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. He reminds us of the Anti-Renter movement in the Hudson valley of New York, and that the Renssalaer family at one time ruled over eighty thousand tenants. He reminds us of Dorr's Rebellion in Rhode Island that attacked the idea, and its perpetrators, that only landowners could vote. So yes, there is much in this book that is fascinating and that is food for a hungry and inquisitive mind. It certainly goes against the mainstream view, and any teacher of history will probably come under fire from those who employ them if they decide to discuss the facts and analysis in this book. The history of the United States has been one of brutality mixed with brilliance, the former of which is emphasized in the pages of this book. A future treatise might emphasize the latter, and together they can give a more accurate picture of what the United States is, what it has been, and its future potential.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2006
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Davut Habip
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
An amazing book ...
Format: Paperback
An amazing book. Reading the book helped me understand why the US is experiencing difficulties in "perceived righteousness" today. I would recommend it to anyone who would like to change the World for the better. Howard Zinn is a benevolent hacker: the kind of hacker I would like my children to be, and why not: all children to be. For me, Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States hacks history and defines a problem and offers a solution: 1. The problem: a one-sided patriotic history enslaves the masses, 2. The solution: a bottom-up, humanistic history empowers everyone and opens the doors for future reconciliations among different communities.(1) At this critical juncture of human history both are relevant not only for the US but rather for our race. A one-sided patriotic bias in history: at what cost? 1. hides wrongdoings and the associated guilt, 2. serves as the first line of defense to deflect current & future criticisms for the past & current mistakes, 3. tampers data gathering, silences questioning & divergence of opinions, 4. reduces communication among communities, 5. defines “the patriotic” and increases the chances of populating the armed forces, 6. defines the other: “the unpatriotic,” 7. increases insecurities, 8. evokes fears (of retribution, etc.) 9. can be misused to justify violence against “the other,” 10. builds a common memory for the masses, builds their egos so that these egos can later be exploited, 11. allows the word “culture” to be used as an equivalence: American culture = being American; (2) 12. a politician can mix these facts to incite emotional reactions of the masses and eventually reach a higher number of votes in a predetermined direction, inexpensively, 13. at school, in the media, in speeches of politicians, and during different rituals (starting with reciting the pledge of allegiance and singing of the national anthem) the patriotic history is repeated and reinforced. Under these conditions, the masses learn to repeat what is given to them. They shun away from questioning further. Their concept of free-will is replaced by a misplaced trust. They learn not to deviate from the norm: they are enslaved and are not even aware of this enslavement. Many words lose their meaning: “a more perfect Union” “Justice” “secure the Blessings of Liberty,” “democracy.” A higher degree of cynicism and later a deep feeling of helplessness ensue. There are costs to the individual, the family, the society. Since many worldwide look up to the US morally, the use of one-sided patriotic history in the US produces world leaders who imitate bad examples. Consequently, Humanity pays dearly. A bottom-up, humanistic history empowers everyone: 1. can eliminate ignorance, 2. can eliminate convenient forgetfulness, 3. can eliminate arrogance, 4. improve self-esteem, communication, & understanding 5. can reduce violence, 6. can empower the individuals and the masses: psychologically and economically and thus improve the quality of life, 7. can help the path to sustainable peace. Among the different communities, the wounds are real. A one-sided history often does not address all of these wounds. Denial freezes any possibility of a reconciliation. A reconciliation process would pass through an acceptance of a historical wrong doing. In time, mankind may realize that what Howard Zinn has started may be the building blocks of sustainable peace. As a new year starts, I wish upon all of us: nations, creeds, ethnicities, etc. our very own Howard Zinns. (1) In the US, these communities can be whites, blacks, American Indians, Mexicans, WASPS, Catholics, Jews, Moslems, Chinese, Japanese, etc. In Turkey, where I am from, these communities include the seculars, non-seculars, Alevites, Armenians, Greeks, Jews, Kurds, etc. (2) Most of us are led to believe that “being” American/WASP/Jewish/Moslem/... is a “culture;” we almost always have these attributes thanks to coincidences; i.e. we are born into these “states;” how can a state that is largely a coincidence, be culture? I would suggest that only what is done through our free-will is deemed culture. Interestingly worldwide, the education systems, the media, and politicians use and propagate the word “culture” to imply largely a static state, rather than the result of a willful action.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2016
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Lyy
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Good quality
Format: School & Library Binding
Perfect!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2026

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