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Portulacaria afra 'Variegata'

Also Known As

Portulacaria afra 'folis variegatis'
Portulacaria afra f. macrophylla
Portulacaria afra f. microphylla
Portulcaria afra variegata
Elephant Plant
Porkbush
Rainbow Bush
Small Leaf Jade
Spekboom
Variegated Elephant Jade
Variegated Elephant Plant
Variegated False Jade

Plant type

shrub, cactus / succulent

size

H: 4'-12'
W: 3"-6"

planting zones

10a-12

More Options

Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' plant details

Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' is an evergreen cactus / succulent or shrub with green, variegated and white foliage. In spring and summer pink flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in acidic, lean and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Portulacaria afra 'Variegata'

Plant type: cactus / succulent or shrub
Plant family: didiereaceae
Foliage: evergreen green, variegated and white
Mature size: 3 IN - 6 IN - wide, 4 FT - 12 FT - tall
Flowers: pink blooms in spring and summer
Uses: bonsai, container plant, easy-to-grow, houseplant, red stems, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Portulacaria afra 'Variegata'

USDA Zones: 10a - 12
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular

Soil needs: acidic, lean and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Tender. petRedish-brown stems with variegated leav

By: Little Prince of Oregon

(Portulacaria afra) also called rainbow bush has red brown stems with fleshy small leaves variegated green-white\red edge..dainty pink flowers..easy. Also known as "Spekboom"

By: Accents for Home and Garden

This jade like succulent has small variegated succulent leaves, a reddish stem and is so simple to grow. Looks great in succulent gardens as a low ground cover or in container gardens. Also can be trained as a bonsai very easily.

By: Paradise Found Nursery

The small rounded blue-green foliage is edged in creamy white and is held on the arching to upright succulent burgundy stems. The beautiful coloration and graceful form of this easily grown plant make it a great choice for containers, indoors or out, and it is certainly a delightful bonsai specimen. Or plant it in the ground where hardy. Provide a well-drained soil. Listed as one of Texas A&M's outstanding interior plants! Elephant Jade can grow quite large but can be kept smaller with pruning. Mature plants may produce 1/2" nectar rich, star-shaped light pink flowers.

By: Almost Eden

Variegated Miniature Jade Plant. A bonsai subject that is not at all hardy in cold climates but very suitable for dish gardens or protected troughs. Pale pink flowers.

By: Avant Gardens

Striking variegated succulent from Africa, can reach 12' in the wild, less in captivity -- possibly 4' tall. Leaves are small, round, and fleshy, green with variegation against dark red stems. Flowers are a bonus, small pink clusters in late spring to early summer. Sun and lean, well-drained soil that dries out some between waterings. A USDA zone 10 plant -- no freezing temperatures -- that does well indoors in good light.

By: Cistus Nursery

Garden photo gallery of Portulacaria afra 'Variegata'

Photo of Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' foliage by Little Prince of Oregon

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By: Little Prince of Oregon

By: Avant Gardens

By: Karl Gercens III

By: Karl Gercens III

Gardening facts about Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' plant

How to Grow Portulacaria afra 'Variegata'

Sun Exposure
- sun - mostly shade
Water Needs
- regular - drought tolerant
Soil Needs
- acidic
- lean
- well-drained

Features

Foliage Color
- variegated
- white
- green
Flower Color
- pink
Flower Season
- summer
- spring
Foliage Season
- evergreen
Texture
- glaucous

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Portulacaria for your garden

Portulacaria afra

aka Portulacaria afra f. macrophylla, Portulacaria afra f. microphylla, Portulacaria afra ssp. minima, Dwarf Jade, Elephant Bush, Elephant Food, Elephant Plant, Elephant Tree, Mini Jade Plant, Small Leaf Jade, Spekboom