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Photo by Almost Eden

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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

Garden photo gallery of Portulacaria afra

Photo of Portulacaria afra foliage by Almost Eden

By: Almost Eden

By: Far Out Flora

By: Cactus Jungle

By: Cactus Jungle

By: Alan Lorence

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

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Portulacaria for your garden

Portulacaria afra 'Variegata'

aka 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