The step by step to follow is as follows: 1.
We’d love to help, but due to the high volume of requests we receive daily, we aren’t able to diagnose everyone’s succulents. The Elephant Bush may also be grown from leaf cuttings, but the obvious advantage of stem cuttings is that it takes less time to grow a more complete plant. Elephant Bush adapts to either full sun or shade, is not particular about the pH, but does require well-drained soil. 138. Portulacaria Afra 'Elephant Bush' how-to guide in caring, propagating, sunlight requirements, watering, soil and growing needs. To grow a new plant out of the mature elephant bush, you can use stem cuttings for easy propagation. Portulacaria Afra-Elephant Bush Care, Types and Propagation - Succulent Plant Care. The elephant bush will survive frosts, are drought tolerant and fire resistant making them the perfect specimen for a hot dry climate. Portulacaria Afras”Elephant Bush” is possibly the simplest succulent to propagate from stem cuttings. Portulacaria Afra “elephant bush/porkbush” Propagation. Because they don’t have a penetrating root system, the elephant bush doesn’t require much soil. To encourage blooms, make sure they are getting adequate lighting. Add a 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.6 to 1.2 cm) layer of gravel over the top of the pot to conserve water and prevent soil from spilling over the edges when watering. This succulent resists drought admirably and doesn’t do well in wet soil. Required fields are marked *, Check out these beautiful projects and get a lot more ideas for your DIY project. But if the plant is not used to a lot of sunlight, you may have to slowly help the plant get used to full direct sunlight. But apart from its uses as food, its ornamental benefits are beyond any doubt. 9. For queries or questions, comment in the section below or send us a message via this link! Place your cutting in a sunny, warm, well-ventilated area. Move your Elephant Bush to its permanent location once roots have formed, and the plant shows new growth. BACK TO genus Portulacaria It is also known as Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade, Mini Jade, Elephant food, Chinese Jade Plant, Pork Bush, Rainbow Bush, Rainboe Elephant Bush, Spekboom (Afrikaans for bacon tree), miniature jade or small leaf jade (but not related to Crassula ovata … Portulacaria afra AKA Elephant Bush Propagation & … Easiest Way to Propagate Succulents: by Stem Cuttings . Delicious Healthy Homemade Lasagna Recipe, Peperomia Caperata Care: How to Grow and Nurture Your Emerald Ripple Plant. The stems are usually red to create a wonderful color combination. However, for indoor plants moving outside, the sudden change in lighting conditions can cause the leaves to burn and fall. That’s not all, however. Aug 3, 2016 - Elephant plant is a succulent that grows as a small bush. However, you need to watch out for those sensitive and shallow roots. However even though they look alike in many ways, you can tell the classic jade by the way it grows upright without the need for support. Portulacaria Afra-’Elephant Bush’ is native to South Africa. Portulacaria Afra ‘Elephant Bush’ can be quite beautiful when it is well-taken care off. Leaf propagation. Portulacaria afra is one of the easiest succulents to propagate. Water the plant and place it in a shaded spot away from the direct sunlight. Pick a healthy stem and cut it using sterile scissors. Gets rained on, the difference with your set-up right now, there is more cool airflow around my plants and has been weather hardened already. If you don’t have that, then adding some regular sand, about one-third portion, to the potting mix will give you the ideal mix similar to the natural habitat of the elephant bush. By supporting SproutSucculents, you’re supporting a small business, and, in turn, Etsy! Pin this to save for later or share with others now! It’s an environment that’s often flooded in natural light and soaked in high levels of humidity. You can either grow it alone in the container or grow other plants to create a great landscape. Propagation. At Etsy, we pride ourselves on our global community of sellers. How to Propagate a Portulacaria Afra. Elephant bush can be propagated via stem cuttings. Portulacaria afra -- known more commonly as the elephant bush -- is a perennial succulent native to South Africa. Daisy Bush Care: How To Grow An African Bush Daisy, 5 Best Potting Soil Brands: How To Choose The Right Mix For Your Garden, Alocasia Plant Care: How to Grow the African Mask Plant, Echeveria Succulent Plant – How To Grow And Care For Echeveria, Chinese Evergreen Plant – How to Care and Grow the Aglaonema Plants, Jade Plant Propagation – How to Plant and Care for Jade Plants. I get asked more questions about my Portulacaria Afra than any other plant on my balcony. To develop your own Elephant Bush, propagation can give fantastic outcomes, for the most part, beginning in the spring.. Expel a stem out of the plant using a sterile razor blade or sharp pair of scissors. Like most succulents, elephant bush is easy to reproduce from cuttings. It will take the stem between 4 to 6 weeks to grow roots and establish in the soil. It grows up 3 feet (90 cm) tall with a spread of 4 feet (1.2 m). Place the cutting in a warm, well-ventilated area to heal and form a callous. And if you’re wondering where this succulent got its name from, well you don’t have wonder anymore. Propagation: Elephant Bush can easily be propagated from cuttings. Many prefer to pour the rooting powder into a paper cup and then dispose of the excess powder and cup together. For indoors, an unglazed pot with plenty of drainage holes will do just fine. The glossy dark green leaves are stunning as much as they are edible. Although Elephant Bush does not typically require frequent watering, it needs even moisture for young roots to grow. They serve as food for elephants and other wildlife in their native habitat and can grow up to 20 feet tall.
You do not have to overcompensate by watering excessively. Watering “Elephant Bush” has typical watering needs for a succulent. The elephant bush (Portulacaria Afra) is a native of South Africa. Collect them and drop them in a bucket of water to kill them. Hold off watering until the soil goes dry. 3. Remove a stem from the plant using a sterile razor knife or sharp pair of scissors. Take a pair of sharp garden shears and obtain a cutting that is about 3 to 4 inches long and has plenty of leaves. 4. They have reddish-brown stems with glossy green leaves. Elephant bush succulents in the home interior should not have persistently wet feet. Top Tips & Info. Dip the bottom 2 inches (5 cm) of the stem of the cutting in rooting compound. The easiest and fastest elephant bush propagation method is by stem cuttings. You should wait for the soil to go dry, about half the soil in the pot before you water it again. This means it favors warm weather and plenty of light. Water the soil thoroughly until excess water flows out of the drainage holes. Your email address will not be published. Recognizing the value of the do-it-yourself movement of the last several years, DIYs.com is inspired by unique yet replicable ideas. Partial shade is ideal for it. Portulacaria afra (known as elephant bush, dwarf jade plant, porkbush and spekboom in Afrikaans) is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa. 6. The best way to understand the light and temperature requirements of the elephant bush, all you need to do is to look at the conditions in its natural habitat in South Africa. Here are the most common varieties. Propagate Elephant Bush easily using stem cuttings. Share: Previous How to Prevent Aeoniums From Dying After Flowering. Light requirements. Elephant bush is non-toxic to humans. Portulacaria afra, commonly known as Elephant Bush, is a popular succulent native to South Africa. Well, for the same reason you grow it indoors in the first place. Set the stem aside for a few days in the shade until the cut is covered with callous. Spekboom. Fill the hole with soil and pack it gently to make sure the succulent stands on its own. Each Etsy seller helps contribute to a global marketplace of creative goods. The elephant bush, on the other hand, needs support as it tends to droop and can’t support its meaty leaves. For best results, try a potting mix similar to the cactus mix. Water to moisten the soil. Take a tip cutting, 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, of your Elephant Bush with a clean, sterilized razor blade. Cut off a healthy section of stem that has lush foliage. Starting out in the spring or early summer will ensure excellent results. With adequate amounts of water, the foliage grows thicker and richer. However, propagating leaf cuttings can be a fun way to make use of any leaves that you accidentally knock off during pruning or transplanting. As far as succulents go, the adorable and majestic elephant bush is more than just a plant you grow for its good looks. 1. It’s best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.Portulacaria afra needs less frequent watering during its dormancy period.. Because the leaves on Portulacaria afra are so thin, it can handle more frequent waterings than other succulents. All you need to do is plant a cutting that has been dried out and calloused. You’ll need to repot it once every couple of years and use fresh soil every time to ensure it’s getting enough nutrients with every repotting. Thanks to its sour flavor, you can add it to stews, salads, and soups. Root rot is a common problem with this succulent and with the heavy foliage, it might topple down easily. To make sure it thrives and gives you those wonderful glossy leaves with their multi-shades. One good indication that the plant needs watering is when the base leaves show signs of wilting. Choose a stem with many leaves and trim it away from the main plant with a sterilized cutting utensil. As for diseases, we already mentioned the root rot when the soil gets waterlogged. This prevents contaminating the container of rooting powder. However, you should add some pumice or poultry pit to the mix to improve aeration. Make sure the pot drains well and doesn't leave a saucer with water sitting under the container. But few landscaping succulents can be eaten let alone those that clean up the air in your house. When the cut is dried up, prepare your potting mix and plant the stem. 8. They don’t do well with overwatering. Watering. Elephant Bush Propagation. 7. With leaf cuttings, you’re nearly starting from scratch. Propagation of Elephant Bush Succulents Likewise, most succulents, elephant bush is capable of reproducing from cuttings briskly—select cuttings in spring or summer for incredible results. Elephant Bush plants in the home interior should not have consistently wet feet. Fertilize in late winter to early spring with an indoor plant fertilizer diluted by half. Jan 20, 2020 - You searched for: SproutSucculents! Place your cutting in water or soil to root. Article by Succulent Plant Care. Let us know how to proceed in each case: Seeds. Choose a suitable pot or container. Place the cutting in a moderately lit area where temperatures are at least 65 F (18 C). Propagation. This creates soil that drains well and provides good aeration for your cuttings. WhatsApp Share on facebook. Portulacaria Afra-Elephant Bush Care, Types and Propagation. Make sure the soil is loose with enough non-porous material in it to improve aeration and prevent waterlogging. The elephant bush loves sunlight and can be in full sun for several hours at a time. While the elephant bush comes in many varieties, the chances are you’ll only have a number of species available in your local nursery. Once the cut dries for several days, place it in a potting mix of well-drained cactus soil. Pruning shears, or scissors can bruise the stem, causing delayed healing. In this method, you propagate your elephant jade plant via leaves. As a succulent, it can grow in just about any environment. People know it as Miniature Jade, Elephant’s Food, and Spekboom in its native habitat in South Africa. Propagation. When a plant can handle dry soil so well, you might wonder, why would I need to worry about watering it? Allow the stem to dry for a few days so that the “wound” can heal. You can grow it in a container or pot as a houseplant or you can grow it outdoors in a hanging basket or in the garden. The rainbow elephant bush or portulacaria afra is multiplied by seeds or, more frequently, by stem cuttings. What this means is that you can grow it outdoors in full light without problems. So let’s take a closer look and see how you can grow and care for this unique succulent. Elephant bush, Portulacaria afra, is a perennial succulent shrub from South Africa that is a popular succulent garden plant around the world.It is easily grown as a seasonal accent plant or low maintenance houseplant in our part of the world. Elephant bush cuttings take root easily in most soil types. Healing time varies but typically ranges from a few days to a week for Elephant Bush. As we’ll see, there’s more to the elephant bush than meets the eye. Remove the bottom leaves from the stem cutting, leaving a 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) section of the stem bare. All rights reserved. As you can see, there’s nothing tricky about planting the elephant bush. Share on whatsapp. Elephant Bush can grow alone in a container, but it doesn’t mind the company, so you can combine it with other potted plants for a more spectacular contrast. Make a hole in the soil deeper and wider than the rootball of the plant and place it in it. The elephant bush will flower in the middle of summer with beautiful flower spikes. Then plant the stem in an appropriate potting mix and keep the cutting warm and moist to encourage rooting. Elephant Bush - Portulacaria Afra. Those same meaty leaves are the reason it’s so popular in South African cuisine. Elephant Bush Care & Growing Guide 1. Subscribe now and be up to date with our latest news and updates. Other pests that attack the plant include whiteflies and spider mites. You … 5. Elephant Bush or Portulacaria afra is a versatile succulent that you can grow as a bonsai specimen, in an outdoors succulent garden, or in a hanging basket. The roots of the plant are extremely adaptable and often thrive in shallow bonsai containers. It thrives in … It will give the plant the slow-release nutrition it needs for many weeks to come. Luckily, it’s a bonsai plant that has plenty of alternatives (elephant bush, porkbush, dwarf jade plant, and spekboom, in Afrikaans, just to name a few! When fully grown, the plant is about 8 to 15 feet high. You might need to erect stakes to keep the plant upright. To grow your own Elephant Bush, propagation can give excellent results. Firm the soil down with your hands to level the surface. It will grow in small pots, shallow containers, or even hanging baskets. Take the leaves off the bottom so you have a clean inch of stem to plant in the soil. 2. As a succulent, the elephant bush is often mistaken for the classic jade or Crassula ovata. Sprinkle a thin layer of worm compost on top of the soil. Even tortoises subsist on this exotic plant whenever they come across it. In spring or summer fill a seedbed (like this one you can get here) with a universal culture substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts. It has USDA hardiness zones between 9 and 11. Whether you grow it as a houseplant or out in the garden, there’s nothing more exotic or fabulous than the elephant bush. You might notice some cottony white spots spreading across the glossy leaves of the elephant bush. Portulacaria Afra – ’Elephant Bush’ Info. While it can be grown from seed, of course, it is most often propagated from stem cuttings. Firm the soil around the stem with your hands to secure it in the soil. This is important to prevent the stem from rotting when you plant it. Classic jade or Crassula ovata a time of sharp garden shears and obtain a cutting that is 8! So rare, only specialized horticultural centers grow them crunchy leaves and stalks with now! A wonderful color combination, elephant bush -- is a succulent, it is most often propagated from stem.! 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We’d love to help, but due to the high volume of requests we receive daily, we aren’t able to diagnose everyone’s succulents. The Elephant Bush may also be grown from leaf cuttings, but the obvious advantage of stem cuttings is that it takes less time to grow a more complete plant. Elephant Bush adapts to either full sun or shade, is not particular about the pH, but does require well-drained soil. 138. Portulacaria Afra 'Elephant Bush' how-to guide in caring, propagating, sunlight requirements, watering, soil and growing needs. To grow a new plant out of the mature elephant bush, you can use stem cuttings for easy propagation. Portulacaria Afra-Elephant Bush Care, Types and Propagation - Succulent Plant Care. The elephant bush will survive frosts, are drought tolerant and fire resistant making them the perfect specimen for a hot dry climate. Portulacaria Afras”Elephant Bush” is possibly the simplest succulent to propagate from stem cuttings. Portulacaria Afra “elephant bush/porkbush” Propagation. Because they don’t have a penetrating root system, the elephant bush doesn’t require much soil. To encourage blooms, make sure they are getting adequate lighting. Add a 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.6 to 1.2 cm) layer of gravel over the top of the pot to conserve water and prevent soil from spilling over the edges when watering. This succulent resists drought admirably and doesn’t do well in wet soil. Required fields are marked *, Check out these beautiful projects and get a lot more ideas for your DIY project. But if the plant is not used to a lot of sunlight, you may have to slowly help the plant get used to full direct sunlight. But apart from its uses as food, its ornamental benefits are beyond any doubt. 9. For queries or questions, comment in the section below or send us a message via this link! Place your cutting in a sunny, warm, well-ventilated area. Move your Elephant Bush to its permanent location once roots have formed, and the plant shows new growth. BACK TO genus Portulacaria It is also known as Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade, Mini Jade, Elephant food, Chinese Jade Plant, Pork Bush, Rainbow Bush, Rainboe Elephant Bush, Spekboom (Afrikaans for bacon tree), miniature jade or small leaf jade (but not related to Crassula ovata … Portulacaria afra AKA Elephant Bush Propagation & … Easiest Way to Propagate Succulents: by Stem Cuttings . Delicious Healthy Homemade Lasagna Recipe, Peperomia Caperata Care: How to Grow and Nurture Your Emerald Ripple Plant. The stems are usually red to create a wonderful color combination. However, for indoor plants moving outside, the sudden change in lighting conditions can cause the leaves to burn and fall. That’s not all, however. Aug 3, 2016 - Elephant plant is a succulent that grows as a small bush. However, you need to watch out for those sensitive and shallow roots. However even though they look alike in many ways, you can tell the classic jade by the way it grows upright without the need for support. Portulacaria Afra-’Elephant Bush’ is native to South Africa. Portulacaria Afra ‘Elephant Bush’ can be quite beautiful when it is well-taken care off. Leaf propagation. Portulacaria afra is one of the easiest succulents to propagate. Water the plant and place it in a shaded spot away from the direct sunlight. Pick a healthy stem and cut it using sterile scissors. Gets rained on, the difference with your set-up right now, there is more cool airflow around my plants and has been weather hardened already. If you don’t have that, then adding some regular sand, about one-third portion, to the potting mix will give you the ideal mix similar to the natural habitat of the elephant bush. By supporting SproutSucculents, you’re supporting a small business, and, in turn, Etsy! Pin this to save for later or share with others now! It’s an environment that’s often flooded in natural light and soaked in high levels of humidity. You can either grow it alone in the container or grow other plants to create a great landscape. Propagation. At Etsy, we pride ourselves on our global community of sellers. How to Propagate a Portulacaria Afra. Elephant bush can be propagated via stem cuttings. Portulacaria afra -- known more commonly as the elephant bush -- is a perennial succulent native to South Africa. Daisy Bush Care: How To Grow An African Bush Daisy, 5 Best Potting Soil Brands: How To Choose The Right Mix For Your Garden, Alocasia Plant Care: How to Grow the African Mask Plant, Echeveria Succulent Plant – How To Grow And Care For Echeveria, Chinese Evergreen Plant – How to Care and Grow the Aglaonema Plants, Jade Plant Propagation – How to Plant and Care for Jade Plants. I get asked more questions about my Portulacaria Afra than any other plant on my balcony. To develop your own Elephant Bush, propagation can give fantastic outcomes, for the most part, beginning in the spring.. Expel a stem out of the plant using a sterile razor blade or sharp pair of scissors. Like most succulents, elephant bush is easy to reproduce from cuttings. It will take the stem between 4 to 6 weeks to grow roots and establish in the soil. It grows up 3 feet (90 cm) tall with a spread of 4 feet (1.2 m). Place the cutting in a warm, well-ventilated area to heal and form a callous. And if you’re wondering where this succulent got its name from, well you don’t have wonder anymore. Propagation: Elephant Bush can easily be propagated from cuttings. Many prefer to pour the rooting powder into a paper cup and then dispose of the excess powder and cup together. For indoors, an unglazed pot with plenty of drainage holes will do just fine. The glossy dark green leaves are stunning as much as they are edible. Although Elephant Bush does not typically require frequent watering, it needs even moisture for young roots to grow. They serve as food for elephants and other wildlife in their native habitat and can grow up to 20 feet tall.
You do not have to overcompensate by watering excessively. Watering “Elephant Bush” has typical watering needs for a succulent. The elephant bush (Portulacaria Afra) is a native of South Africa. Collect them and drop them in a bucket of water to kill them. Hold off watering until the soil goes dry. 3. Remove a stem from the plant using a sterile razor knife or sharp pair of scissors. Take a pair of sharp garden shears and obtain a cutting that is about 3 to 4 inches long and has plenty of leaves. 4. They have reddish-brown stems with glossy green leaves. Elephant bush succulents in the home interior should not have persistently wet feet. Top Tips & Info. Dip the bottom 2 inches (5 cm) of the stem of the cutting in rooting compound. The easiest and fastest elephant bush propagation method is by stem cuttings. You should wait for the soil to go dry, about half the soil in the pot before you water it again. This means it favors warm weather and plenty of light. Water the soil thoroughly until excess water flows out of the drainage holes. Your email address will not be published. Recognizing the value of the do-it-yourself movement of the last several years, DIYs.com is inspired by unique yet replicable ideas. Partial shade is ideal for it. Portulacaria afra (known as elephant bush, dwarf jade plant, porkbush and spekboom in Afrikaans) is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa. 6. The best way to understand the light and temperature requirements of the elephant bush, all you need to do is to look at the conditions in its natural habitat in South Africa. Here are the most common varieties. Propagate Elephant Bush easily using stem cuttings. Share: Previous How to Prevent Aeoniums From Dying After Flowering. Light requirements. Elephant bush is non-toxic to humans. Portulacaria afra, commonly known as Elephant Bush, is a popular succulent native to South Africa. Well, for the same reason you grow it indoors in the first place. Set the stem aside for a few days in the shade until the cut is covered with callous. Spekboom. Fill the hole with soil and pack it gently to make sure the succulent stands on its own. Each Etsy seller helps contribute to a global marketplace of creative goods. The elephant bush, on the other hand, needs support as it tends to droop and can’t support its meaty leaves. For best results, try a potting mix similar to the cactus mix. Water to moisten the soil. Take a tip cutting, 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, of your Elephant Bush with a clean, sterilized razor blade. Cut off a healthy section of stem that has lush foliage. Starting out in the spring or early summer will ensure excellent results. With adequate amounts of water, the foliage grows thicker and richer. However, propagating leaf cuttings can be a fun way to make use of any leaves that you accidentally knock off during pruning or transplanting. As far as succulents go, the adorable and majestic elephant bush is more than just a plant you grow for its good looks. 1. It’s best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.Portulacaria afra needs less frequent watering during its dormancy period.. Because the leaves on Portulacaria afra are so thin, it can handle more frequent waterings than other succulents. All you need to do is plant a cutting that has been dried out and calloused. You’ll need to repot it once every couple of years and use fresh soil every time to ensure it’s getting enough nutrients with every repotting. Thanks to its sour flavor, you can add it to stews, salads, and soups. Root rot is a common problem with this succulent and with the heavy foliage, it might topple down easily. To make sure it thrives and gives you those wonderful glossy leaves with their multi-shades. One good indication that the plant needs watering is when the base leaves show signs of wilting. Choose a stem with many leaves and trim it away from the main plant with a sterilized cutting utensil. As for diseases, we already mentioned the root rot when the soil gets waterlogged. This prevents contaminating the container of rooting powder. However, you should add some pumice or poultry pit to the mix to improve aeration. Make sure the pot drains well and doesn't leave a saucer with water sitting under the container. But few landscaping succulents can be eaten let alone those that clean up the air in your house. When the cut is dried up, prepare your potting mix and plant the stem. 8. They don’t do well with overwatering. Watering. Elephant Bush Propagation. 7. With leaf cuttings, you’re nearly starting from scratch. Propagation of Elephant Bush Succulents Likewise, most succulents, elephant bush is capable of reproducing from cuttings briskly—select cuttings in spring or summer for incredible results. Elephant Bush plants in the home interior should not have consistently wet feet. Fertilize in late winter to early spring with an indoor plant fertilizer diluted by half. Jan 20, 2020 - You searched for: SproutSucculents! Place your cutting in water or soil to root. Article by Succulent Plant Care. Let us know how to proceed in each case: Seeds. Choose a suitable pot or container. Place the cutting in a moderately lit area where temperatures are at least 65 F (18 C). Propagation. This creates soil that drains well and provides good aeration for your cuttings. WhatsApp Share on facebook. Portulacaria Afra-Elephant Bush Care, Types and Propagation. Make sure the soil is loose with enough non-porous material in it to improve aeration and prevent waterlogging. The elephant bush loves sunlight and can be in full sun for several hours at a time. While the elephant bush comes in many varieties, the chances are you’ll only have a number of species available in your local nursery. Once the cut dries for several days, place it in a potting mix of well-drained cactus soil. Pruning shears, or scissors can bruise the stem, causing delayed healing. In this method, you propagate your elephant jade plant via leaves. As a succulent, it can grow in just about any environment. People know it as Miniature Jade, Elephant’s Food, and Spekboom in its native habitat in South Africa. Propagation. When a plant can handle dry soil so well, you might wonder, why would I need to worry about watering it? Allow the stem to dry for a few days so that the “wound” can heal. You can grow it in a container or pot as a houseplant or you can grow it outdoors in a hanging basket or in the garden. The rainbow elephant bush or portulacaria afra is multiplied by seeds or, more frequently, by stem cuttings. What this means is that you can grow it outdoors in full light without problems. So let’s take a closer look and see how you can grow and care for this unique succulent. Elephant bush, Portulacaria afra, is a perennial succulent shrub from South Africa that is a popular succulent garden plant around the world.It is easily grown as a seasonal accent plant or low maintenance houseplant in our part of the world. Elephant bush cuttings take root easily in most soil types. Healing time varies but typically ranges from a few days to a week for Elephant Bush. As we’ll see, there’s more to the elephant bush than meets the eye. Remove the bottom leaves from the stem cutting, leaving a 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) section of the stem bare. All rights reserved. As you can see, there’s nothing tricky about planting the elephant bush. Share on whatsapp. Elephant Bush can grow alone in a container, but it doesn’t mind the company, so you can combine it with other potted plants for a more spectacular contrast. Make a hole in the soil deeper and wider than the rootball of the plant and place it in it. The elephant bush will flower in the middle of summer with beautiful flower spikes. Then plant the stem in an appropriate potting mix and keep the cutting warm and moist to encourage rooting. Elephant Bush - Portulacaria Afra. Those same meaty leaves are the reason it’s so popular in South African cuisine. Elephant Bush Care & Growing Guide 1. Subscribe now and be up to date with our latest news and updates. Other pests that attack the plant include whiteflies and spider mites. You … 5. Elephant Bush or Portulacaria afra is a versatile succulent that you can grow as a bonsai specimen, in an outdoors succulent garden, or in a hanging basket. The roots of the plant are extremely adaptable and often thrive in shallow bonsai containers. It thrives in … It will give the plant the slow-release nutrition it needs for many weeks to come. Luckily, it’s a bonsai plant that has plenty of alternatives (elephant bush, porkbush, dwarf jade plant, and spekboom, in Afrikaans, just to name a few! When fully grown, the plant is about 8 to 15 feet high. You might need to erect stakes to keep the plant upright. To grow your own Elephant Bush, propagation can give excellent results. Firm the soil down with your hands to level the surface. It will grow in small pots, shallow containers, or even hanging baskets. Take the leaves off the bottom so you have a clean inch of stem to plant in the soil. 2. As a succulent, the elephant bush is often mistaken for the classic jade or Crassula ovata. Sprinkle a thin layer of worm compost on top of the soil. Even tortoises subsist on this exotic plant whenever they come across it. In spring or summer fill a seedbed (like this one you can get here) with a universal culture substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts. It has USDA hardiness zones between 9 and 11. Whether you grow it as a houseplant or out in the garden, there’s nothing more exotic or fabulous than the elephant bush. You might notice some cottony white spots spreading across the glossy leaves of the elephant bush. Portulacaria Afra – ’Elephant Bush’ Info. While it can be grown from seed, of course, it is most often propagated from stem cuttings. Firm the soil around the stem with your hands to secure it in the soil. This is important to prevent the stem from rotting when you plant it. Classic jade or Crassula ovata a time of sharp garden shears and obtain a cutting that is 8! So rare, only specialized horticultural centers grow them crunchy leaves and stalks with now! A wonderful color combination, elephant bush -- is a succulent, it is most often propagated from stem.! 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