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Elephant Bush plantorPortulacaria afra(pronounced por - tew - luh - KAR - ee - uh AF - ruh ) is a shaggy-coated succulent shrub belonging to the Didiereaceae family .
In its native home ground in the eastern part of South Africa and the Limpopo Province from the Eastern Cape northward , it ’s find develop on wry , jumpy slopes .
Succulent leaves of the elephant bush
At first sight , many often imagine ‘ afra ’ is a miniCrassula ovata ( dwarf jade plant)because of their exchangeable appearance .
The Portulacaria afra plant hold out by the uncouth names of :
… and comes in miniature and variegated varieties as well .
Succulent leaves of the elephant bush
Elephant Bush Quick Care Tips
The motley cast of the Elephant bush – Portulacaria afra ‘ variegata ’ is called the – Rainbow bush .
Elephant Bush Care: Growth Master Portulacaria Afra Plants
Size and Growth: Elephant Bush Potential
Elephant bush mammoth prefer growing on dry , jumpy slopes and outcrops .
The woody ruby-red - brown stems grow upwards , reaching up to 8′ to 15′ metrical foot tall .
However , it will most likely remain a minor plant produce only a few feet tall .
This flora is hardy to raise in USDA zones 9 - 11 .
Subtle Beauty of lilliput plant Succulent Flowers and Fragrance
The elephant chaparral succulent is characterized by its ruby stems sprouting with small , glossy green leave .
It is rare for the Elephant plant succulent to blossom in cultivation .
However , under the right condition , they will give rise flowers in clusters and in shades of lily-white , pink , or purple .
The flowers carry a unaccented scent and pull in bees and other pollinator during the blossom season .
Light and Temperature
The Portulacaria afra plant requires spate of lustrous luminousness and a tender surroundings to turn and fly high .
Plant in full sun or fond specter .
However , if the dwarf jade plant life is moved from indoors to channelize sun outdoors , the oval foliage will burn and shed .
This is why sink in or partially shaded bright light is idealistic .
Rainbow Elephant Bush can handle meek Robert Frost and cold temperature to 25 ° degrees Fahrenheit for a short time period of time .
If you live in a clime with freeze winter temperature , it ’s best to develop Afra in a container so this succulent plant can move indoors during the colder months .
Watering and Feeding
As a drouth - resistant plant , the Elephant ear succulent does n’t involve wads of water to survive . It adapts to dry and hot conditions .
They generally flourish when consecrate regular watering .
As a rule of thumb , a growing Lilliput succulent needs more water supply in the summertime months when it ’s hot and dry as fight down to cool winter months .
Wait for the top bed of soil to dry out out a little before watering again to ensure you ’re not overwatering this succulent plant .
Feed plants in the early outflow or tardy winter with a dilute indoor flora fertiliser at 50 % strength .
Potting Soil and Transplanting
Elephant bush industrial plant require well - drained soil to flourish . However , you may also utilize a cactus mixture or potting culture medium with pumice stone , small pea plant crushed rock , or fowl grit .
When it ’s container - grown , unglazed pottery or any container with large drainage holes is good for better evaporation of excess wet .
give chase Lilliput succulent can acquire with very small grime . Their thick stems and succulent leaves make the plant top - wakeless .
When planting , plant may need a rock or stake to help steady them until they become well - institute .
Elephant tear flora needs a well - draining potting mix , such as a cactus mix or flaxen succulent soil .
Adding additional perlite for superfluous drainage also helps , and weed need drain hole .
Do not allow the soil to get waterlogged , as overwatering can easily damage the works .
repot every two long time or so to ensure the plant is get sufficient grunge food .
Ensure that the potting mixing in the new container is sweet so the plant ’s nutrient supplying is replenished accordingly .
Moreover , pruning the tips of the plant will help keep it little .
Elephant Ear Succulent Propagation
Propagate Elephant Bush easily using a stem cutting .
Remove a stem from the plant using a sterile razor tongue or discriminating couple of scissors .
Once the cut dry out for several days , place it in a potting mix of well - drained cactus grime .
While the plant is taking root ( 4 - 6 weeks ) , keep it out of unmediated sun and ensure that you keep the territory moist when it starts to dry .
It should take about four to six weeks for plants to take radical and fully develop new growth .
Elephant Bush Mammoth Pest or Diseases
This low - maintenance plant is susceptible to mealybugs that appear as small , cottony spots on the greenish leaves .
Get rid of these by wipe them down with a cotton plant swab douse in inebriant .
Other pests to look out for are spider mites and whitefly .
Other problem with Elephant ear succulent include folio dropping and leaf yellowing .
The former is have by over or underwatering .
Keep an optic on the soil to assure that you are not letting your industrial plant stand in water . Overwatering can take to beginning rot .
Also , verify that you do n’t completely dry out the soil so that the plant is go out starving for moisture .
Elephant Bush Portulacaria Plant Uses
The Elephant jadestone plant has several ways to show off its interesting feature article .
In improver to being a pleasing cosmetic plant life , Elephants bush has a act of role .
The industrial plant is experience to soak up carbon in the air , which is why it has gleaned a repute for being a carbon - sponger plant .
It is also used to fertilise elephants . Hence the name ‘ elephant food , ’ but tortoise and caprine animal also prey on it since its foliage is edible .
Because of the industrial plant ’s off feel when consumed , in some parts of Southern Africa , it is used as an ingredient in soups , salads , and stews .
In addition , it ’s safe with PET and humans since this plant is non - toxic .
