Portulacaria afra: Elephant Bush Care & Growing Guide

Elephant Bush

Elephant Bush

The Portulacaria afra (elephant bush) cactus is a succulent bush with thick grey or brownish stems and fat, juicy, bright green leaves.

It has the appearance of a sparse, small-leafed jade plant. Elephants eat it; it can get six feet tall indoors if you do not have many elephants around.

Give it bright light, heavy soil with excellent drainage, cool night temperatures and good air circulation. Drench and let dry -- it will tolerate almost everything except overwatering. If you underwater, the leaves will shrivel but will plump up again if you water before they drop off the plant.

Cactus Image Gallery

Portulacaria afra. See more pictures of cacti.

There are also varieties with mottled or variegated leaves -- some yellow, some pink and some with very small green leaves. The small-leafed and variegated varieties are slower growing and appreciate having more attention. They can be pruned to a decorative bonsai style with the appearance of great age.

Cactus Profiles

Aeonium Melocactus Agave Mountain Cereus Alluaudia procera Nananthus schoonesii Calibanus hookerii Rat Tail Cactus Crassula Rebutia Echeveria Sedum Elephant Bush Senecio Eulychnia saint-pieana Spider Cactus Ferocactus Stapelia Foxtail Asparagus Fern Tephrocactus Gasteria Torch Cactus Haageocereus chrysacranthus Trichodiadema olearea Holiday Cactus Yucca Kalanchoe

Caring for your cactus:

• Cactus Care
• Light Requirements of Cactus Plants
• Water and Humidity Requirements of Cactus Plants
• Temperature Requirements of Cactus Plants
• Fertilizing Cacti
• Preventing Cacti Pests and Diseases
• Potting Cactus Plants
• Propagating Cacti
• Arranging Cactus Plants
• House Plants
• Gardening