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    • Photo of Portulacaria afra foliage by Almost Eden

    Photo by Almost Eden

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Portulacaria afra

    Also Known As

    • 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

    Plant type

    shrub, cactus / succulent

    size

    • H: 4'-6'
    • W: 3'-4'

    planting zones

    • 9a-11

    More Options

    Portulacaria afra plant details

    Portulacaria afra is an evergreen cactus / succulent or shrub with green foliage. In spring and summer pink flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in acidic, average, gritty and well-drained soil.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Portulacaria afra

    Plant type: cactus / succulent or shrub
    Plant family: didiereaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 3 FT - 4 FT - wide, 4 FT - 6 FT - tall
    Flowers: pink blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: container plant, houseplant, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Portulacaria afra

    USDA Zones: 9a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Soil needs: acidic, average, gritty and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Crassula argentea "Mimima", a dainty version of the regular jade with small fleshy leaves and stems. A great easy houseplant.

    By: Accents for Home and Garden

    Part Shade to Light Sun. Outdoor/Indoor. Pink Flowers, rare to see in cultivation.

    By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

    A bushy, jade-like plant from Africa with deep green rounded succulent leaves on burgundy arching to upright succulent stems. An excellent specimen plant for containers, in mixed gardens, hanging baskets and bonsai indoors, on the patio, or in the garden where hardy. This is an extremely easy to grow and rewarding succulent for well-drained soils. 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

    Also called Mini Jade Plant. Called Spekboom in its native South Africa, this is a favorite food for Elephants. It is also good grazing for goats and other animals. It makes a nice hedge or small tree in frost free climates. It can tollerate light frosts when mature. It also makes a wonderful house plant or bonsai tree! The pretty pink flowers appear rarely on old wood. For sale are large plants in 2" pots. They may be trimmed some for packaging, but will quickly re-grow.

    By: Edens Blooms

    Gardening facts about Portulacaria afra plant

    How to Grow Portulacaria afra

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - dappled shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • acidic
      • average
      • well-drained
      • gritty

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • pink

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glossy

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