Portulacaria afra
Hey hoi polloi , it ’s metre to talk about the elephant in the room .
Or at least , anelephant that you ’ll behappyto have in your room – I ’m talking about your fresh favorite houseplant , elephant bush !
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Elephant bush in bloom. Photo by Forrest and Kim Starr, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY-SA.
Also known as “ spekboom ” or “ nanus jade , ” this succulent makes an first-class houseplant that is supremely prosperous to care for and fun to diffuse .
This nontoxic industrial plant is an excellent alternative to strumpet as a succulent selection for households with modest children or mischievous pets . Plus , there are several varieties available with different increase habits , making its appeal even broader .
In this article we ’re going to look at every aspect of develop and worry for elephant bush as a houseplant – here ’s what we ’ll embrace :
What You’ll Learn
What Is Elephant Bush?
Elephant bush is an evergreen succulent that has small , rotund to ellipse leaves on cerise stem that recrudesce gray barque as they get on .
The thick , fleshy , emerald - green leave of this mintage are have opposite on its stems , and sometimes have pinkish - purple margins .
Spekboom seldom flowers unless farm outdoors class - orotund . Its tiny blooms are genius - form , lavender - colored , and borne in clusters .
Although this species ( Portulacaria afra ) is sometimes referred to as “ dwarf jade , ” “ miniature jade , ” or “ pocket-sized leaf jade , ” it is unrelated tothe jade plant life , Crassula ovata .
In the wild , spekboom grows to be a big shrub or small Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , get hold of 15 feet tall or more . But as a houseplant , it is easy kept at a smaller size with pruning , and can even be cultivated as bonsai .
Cultivation and History
Spekboom is aboriginal to dry areas of easterly and southern Africa , and is found specifically within Eswatini , Kenya , Mozambique , and South Africa . It has also naturalized on the Italian island of Sicily .
In its native chain this species grows in scrubland and thicket , and is find in various habitat including teetotal flatlands , dry river valleys , and north - facing rough slope . It can also grow in small crevices on cliff faces .
If you ’ve been wondering why this plant is called “ elephant George Bush , ” – well , it ’s name after one of itsbiggestfans , and I mean that quite literally . elephant and other African wildlife like blackened rhinos , expend the works as pasturage .
It ’s also sometimes called “ elephant nutrient ” or “ elephant plant . ”
Also known as “ purslane tree,”P. afrais relegate botanically as a member of thePortulacariagenus .
Portulacaria – sounds sort of familiar , correct ?
The genus namePortulacariameans “ like portulaca , ” more or less , while the specific name “ afra ” think of “ from Africa . ”
This genus was previously classified as part of the Portulacaceae phratry , which includes works likemoss rose ( Portulaca grandiflora)andpurslane , whose leaves carry a strong resemblance to those of elephant George Walker Bush .
However , botanists later on find out that thePortulacariagenus needed to be reclassified to a dissimilar plant family , Didiereaceae , which is more closely have-to doe with to the cactus fellowship , Cactaceae .
Spekboom is a industrial plant with many different vulgar public figure , as delineate above , and even botanists have had multiple ideas about what the species should be called – P. portulacaria , Haenkea crassifolia , andCrassula arboreaare all reckon synonyms .
Including the field of study of our clause , many of the member of thePortulacariagenus are also commonly referred to as “ porkbush . ” And its common name “ spekboom”means “ Baron Verulam Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ” in Afrikaans .
With that thought in mind , it might please you to know that this specie is not only nontoxic , it ’s edible !
Are you thinking that your regard , “ if only bacon grew on trees , ” has finally come reliable ?
I ’m go to have to burst your bubble – the leaves of this tree diagram reportedly taste more like Granny Smith apples than smoke pork belly .
As with comestible flowers and eatable weed , just because spekboom is technically eatable does n’t necessarily intend you should go hog barbarian and pig out on handfuls of porkbush leaves !
To begin with , houseplants are sometimes sprayed with various pesticide or fungicide , and since these plant life are notintendedfor use as food in the US or cultivated as such , chemical substance and other products sprayed on them may be more potent and potentially toxic than those spray on your supermarket garden truck .
So , unless you bang on the nose what has been use to your spekboom , it may be safer to refrain entirely from try this airiness .
In plus to concerns about exposure to unhealthy chemicals , any new food not commonly included in your diet should be try out in small amounts , and with caution . Just because something is considered “ eatable ” does n’t make chowing down on it appropriate for all individuals .
If you just ca n’t hold out taking a nibble , be sure to aright place this flora since lookalikes fromthe Crassulagenuslike strumpet industrial plant ( C. ovata ) are toxic .
Wondering how you’re able to tell jade and elephant bush apart ?
The leaves of jade are chummy , and more elongated than those of elephant Dubya .
Elephant George Herbert Walker Bush leaves are slimly dent as well , and tend to be much modest than jade leaves .
Also , new root growth on strumpet plant life is gullible while that of elephant bush is red , pinkish , or purple .
P. afrais often treated like a potential foodstuff and cultivated or foraged by individuals living in its native range , where it ’s sometimes lend to salads , soups , or stews .
It has also been used medicinally to handle cutis yield , colds , inflammation , in high spirits blood air pressure , and heating plant stroke , among many other ailments .
In addition to its wide-ranging medicinal uses , spekboom also stand out at sequestering carbon paper , have it an important mintage when used in landscape refurbishment .
Spekboom can be grown outdoors year - round inUSDA Hardiness Zones9 to 11 or cultivated indoors in all regions . In this guide , we ’ll focalise on indoor cultivation as a houseplant .
Propagation
While spekboom can begrown from seed , since this species flowers infrequently , germ are hard to origin . No worries , though – it ’s supremely leisurely to broadcast this succulent from press clipping .
From Cuttings
The best fourth dimension to undertake this project is in spring or summertime when your spekboom is in an dynamic period of growth .
Here ’s what you ’ll need : a mature porkbush , scissors orgardening pruners , potting mass medium , and four - inch greenhouse pots . You wo n’t need rooting hormone for this projection , since the cuttings rout easily .
Sterilize the scissors by wiping them down with rubbing alcoholic drink or atomic number 1 peroxide to quash spreading pathogens .
Then take root slip that are three to five inches long , cutting just under a leaf node . Depending on your purposes , you may want to take just one cutting , or several .
For spekbooms with a weeping manikin , I recommend study several newspaper clipping to make a full hanging basket . For those interested in create bonsai , just one per pot will be enough .
After taking the cuttings , let them callus over in a cool , dry location for two days .
take your nursery pots with potting medium , leaving an inch of room between the top of the grunge and the brim of the skunk – this will prevent soil from falling out during watering subsequently .
Cut off the leaf from the bottom in or so of each cutting . Then stick the cuttings into the disposed nursery toilet , space them about an in or so apart for a houseplant with a full appearance , or centering unmarried cuttings in the midriff of the pot .
piss in the newly potted cuttings and then place them in indirect , burnished light to take solution .
It may take four to six week for the cuttings to settle . Water these specimens whenever their potting medium has good dried out .
You canlearn more about spread succulents in our article .
How to Grow
Elephant George Bush are easy to care for , but it ’s a good idea to get word what consideration they prefer so you do n’t unexpectedly kill them with too much benignity .
Sun
Outdoors , elephant bush will fly high in full sun to part tone . For houseplants that translate into unmediated sunlight , or indirect brilliant light .
You might find a spot with the right amount of lighter close to a south- or due west - facing window , or several ft away from such windows .
However , before place a young works in direct sunlight , give it a gentle changeover to acclimate first , step by step increasing its exposure to verbatim sun .
If plant are n’t getting enough brightness , their stems will become unfold out , with bigger gaps between leaves , a phenomenon known as “ etiolation . ”
relocate such specimen to locations with more light will help plants continue more compact . uncommitted sunshine can also besupplemented with an galvanising grow light .
Water
hail from waterless region , elephant bush is a drought - resistant plant . When it comes to watering , keep in mind that you are more at endangerment of ache yours by overwatering than by underwatering it .
However , although this succulent can hold some negligence , it will raise into a more luscious houseplant with regular lachrymation .
In general , provide the plant ’s potting medium to dry out out soundly in between watering , then water deep .
Since leaf can become quite dense in pots , it can be helpful to use ahouseplant - adapted watering canfor this task .
Also , it ’s good to avoid lacrimation on overcast Clarence Day .
And speaking of cooler conditions , sinceP. afrais accommodate to dry winters , most sources propose not watering these works at all during the winter . However , this advice might be most appropriate for gardeners growing this succulent alfresco .
If your potted porkbush is inside during the wintertime in a warm , bright location , you may not want to withhold water whole , but keep down frequency to account for shorter twenty-four hour period length .
For those whose specimens are exposed to nerveless winter conditions in the ground or exterior on a terrace in appropriate uprise zones , it may be appropriate to deduct water until spring .
Susan Mahr , state coordinator for the Master Gardener Program in Wisconsin writing for theUniversity of Wisconsin - Madison Agricultural Extension , recommends looking for shriveling leaves as a preindication that it ’s time to resume watering .
And if you ’re hoping to see blossom on your specimen , in addition to providing adequate light exposure , be mindful that this plant is more probable to bloom when tearing is less frequent .
Soil
With a fairly broad native reach , P. afrais quite elastic in its grime predilection , and tolerates pretty acidulent to slenderly alkaline soils with a pH of 5.6 to 7.8 .
However , well - draining soil is a must .
A potting medium designed for cacti and succulents makes a thoroughgoing choice , such as Sun Gro Black Gold Cactus Mix .
This medium contain humus , perlite , pumice stone , and sand , and is useable for leverage in eight - quart bagsfrom Sun Gro Horticulture via Amazon .
receive tips on fuse you own succulent soil mix here .
Temperature
Spekboom will thrive in the temperature ranges unremarkably found in clime - check households .
In its aboriginal cooking stove it is quite resistant of dry conditions , so compared to tropical houseplants that lust humidness , you will not ask to take step to increase the humidity around your plants .
For those houseplant partisan such as myself who livewithoutair conditioning , dwarf jade is also tolerant of gamey passion and can handle temperatures of 100 ° F and above .
However , this succulent is sensitive to coldness and Robert Lee Frost , with vernal industrial plant being more vulnerable to cold temperatures .
While in some outdoor localization this mintage survive frost and heavy freezes down to 25 ° F , annul picture to sub - freezing temperatures if incline plants out of doors to keep your spekboom looking its secure .
Also , sudden temperature fluctuation such as those triggered by drafty window or doors , or locations near heat vents , can cause leafage to send away , so be sure to posit them away from insensate drafts or raging point .
Growing Tips
Maintenance
Elephant bush is a rightfully low - upkeep plant life . Here ’s what you ’ll need to make out to keep your industrial plant looking tip - top over the tenacious terminus :
Pruning
You ’ll only require to snip your porkbush if you want to alter its shape or keep it to a more compact size .
verify to apply sterilized scissors or garden pruners for this undertaking to nullify spread disease pathogens .
And keep in mind that any trim you take can be pass around – cater you with more specimen for your collection or to offer as gifts !
For tips on domesticate your spekboom as bonsai , check outour article which offer a complete introduction to bonsai .
Repotting
Spekboom should be repotted when it becomes rootbound , which will occur around every two twelvemonth in healthy potted specimen .
It ’s best to plan this project for the spring when the plant is starting to put on some fresh growth .
When repotting , opt a pot that is just one size of it larger than the current container . oversize spate can prevent the growing culture medium from drying in a timely mode , and lead to root rot .
Also , check that the pot has drainage holes to keep the growing medium debilitate well .
When you ’re quick to complete this task , you ’ll need an appropriate growing metier as described above . Place a shallow level of fresh potting medium in the bottom of the new pot .
If the specimen is in a hanging basketball hoop , transfer the hanger to make the transport prosperous .
Next , tip the spekboom sideways and squeeze the pot slightly ( if possible ) to help ease the industrial plant out – avoid pulling on foliage , which can break away off easy . Any branches that are break off during this physical process can be rout to embark on raw plants as described in the propagation incision above .
Once the porkbush is released from its can , rub the flat of your palm along its tooth root ball to aid loosen it and make its passage easier .
localise the spekboom into its young pot , adding or removing growing medium so the top of the tooth root ball is about one inch below the rim of the pot .
Now comes the hard part – despite every good nurseryman ’s natural inclination towaterthe flora after this operation , wait a week rather , then riposte to your normal watering routine .
Fertilizing
Spekboom is accommodate to poor filth and does not want fertilization .
However , if you ’d like to encourage growth , utilize a blue-blooded plant food intended for use of goods and services on succulents , such as Dr. Earth ’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food , which has a 1 - 1 - 2 NPK ratio .
Dr. Earth ’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food
you’re able to find Dr. Earth ’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food available for purchasefrom Arbico Organics .
need to learn more about fertilise succulents?Be trusted to read our complete guide .
Where to Buy
With emerald - unripe leaves , the species plantP. afrahas an upright , sprawl growth use .
prow are reddish chocolate-brown , mature to grey , and are covered with half - inch - long leaves .
P. afracan develop to be a small shrub or Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree when grown in the landscape , but as a houseplant it can be pruned to keep it at a realizable size – there ’s no indigence to permit it get as self-aggrandizing as a pachyderm .
P. Afrain 4 ” Nursery tummy
you’re able to purchase aP. afraspecimen in a four - column inch nursery potfrom Hirt ’s Garden Store via Amazon .
When you ’re looking to buy an elephant bush , you ’ll have the option to choose between several dissimilar cultivars in addition to the straight metal money .
And among these you’re able to also choose from specimen pruned into bonsai configuration or those already placed in hang baskets . Here are a few commend selections :
Prostrata
Also know as “ groundcover jade ” or “ dwarf elephant food , ” ‘ Prostrata ’ is a creeping cultivar of this metal money .
With emerald - green leaves on reddish - purple stems that mature to gray , this variety makes an excellent choice for a hang basketful , or for a dry land cover in a succulent planter .
It ’s also sometimes calledP. afra‘Minima . ’
‘ Prostrata ’ in Hanging Basket
Interested in purchase ‘ Prostrata ’ for your collection ? You ’ll find it in a six - in hanging basketfrom Altman Plants via Walmart .
Variegata
‘ Variegata ’ is a variegate form ofP. afrathat has green leaves with pick - colored margins , sometimes edged in pink .
Also known as “ rainbow bush , ” new emergence on this stocky variety can be cream - colored or cream with pinkish margins .
Rainbow bush has more or less different caution requirements than the species plant – it is tedious growing and less tolerant of full sunlight .
P. afra‘Variegata ’ Bonsai Tree
If you ’re interested in adding a bonsai specimen to your ingathering , you’re able to buy a fifteen - yr - honest-to-goodness , twelve- to thirteen - inch - marvellous vary elephant bushfrom Bonnsai via Walmart .
need More Options ?
Discover more spekboom cultivars inour guide to 11 of the good type of elephant bush .
Managing Pests and Disease
Elephant bush is not peculiarly prostrate to disease or pest problem . However , frail specimens will be more likely to succumb to illness or plague , so make certain to supply the correct amount of water , drain , and sunshine .
Herbivores
For a spekboom placed outdoors for the summer or grown outdoors year - round , any hungry four - legged herbivore or omnivore with accession might enjoy nibbling its succulent leaf , with the choice perpetrator in North America beingrabbitsand deer .
This works is particularly attractive as a dining option to brute during the summer months because of its water - storing , succulent leaves .
Get summit for deer - proofing your garden in our article .
Insects
It ’s a just musical theme to give these works the once - over when watering them , to audit their foliage for signs of plague .
Be on the sentinel for scale , wanderer mites , and mealybugs , all of which commonly plague houseplants . These can be controlled with nontoxic neem oil .
Read our article tolearn more about identifying and controlling mealybugs , spider mite , andscale insects .
Diseases
The disease you are most likely to encounter with elephant bush is beginning rot .
specimen touch on by this disease may have slushy stems . Plants may also wilt and march browned foliage .
ascendent rot is easily prevent through proper lacrimation and drain . ensure your stool is correctly sized and has drainage golf hole , ensure that the potting intermediate drainage well , and obviate overwatering .
The only way to tell for sure whether a plant has been bear on by root rotting is to condition the industrial plant ’s roots .
If you notice any stinky roots , trim them back so only healthy roots remain . Repot in a suitable potting spiritualist , as discussed in the soil incision above .
Best Uses
Just as it is a plant of many public figure , P. afrais a species with a masses of potential function .
Porkbush makes a great succulent houseplant for households with rum kids or impish pets , since it ’s nontoxic and provides a secure alternative to jade plant .
For indoor nurseryman in lookup of choice forhanging basket , the trailing varieties ofP. afraare excellent choices .
These low - grow cultivars can also be put to beautiful use as ground screen in succulent gardens or planters .
As for types of porkbush with upright growth habits , they can be prune to take on bushy form , or magniloquent good forms , and they can be trained in many dissimilar styles of bonsai .
For those live in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 , spekboom can be used in the landscape year - stave leave it is given appropriate drainage and that it is n’t inundated with rain .
Outdoors , these orotund shrubs or small trees can be used as screens or hedge once they strive their fledged tiptop . They can also offer their serving as evergreen plant firebreaks .
last , spekboom has been present toexcel at biological carbon sequestrationas part of thicket restoration programs in South Africa over the course of two decade . That means it can take atomic number 6 dioxide out of the air and store it , help to reduce greenhouse accelerator pedal in the atmosphere and fight down climate change .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Spekboom, a Spectacular Succulent
The many all right features of spekboom make it a spectacular option as a succulent houseplant .
It requires little water , demand only minimal sustentation , can bear dry air , is safe to have around children or pets , and can even help to repair habitats and improve environmental weather condition in its aboriginal chain .
Spekboom is a aspiration houseplant for me , and I desire it is for you , too !
The next time someone tells you it ’s fourth dimension to talk about the elephant in the way , you could nod and wax poetic about your spectacular spekboom .
Docacti and succulentsmake your heart pitter - spiel just like they do mine ? If so , here ’s some more recommended reading :
Photos by Kristina Hicks - Hamblin © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Product photos via Altman Plants , Bonnsai , Hirt ’s Garden Store , Sun Gro Horticulture , and Walmart . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Kristina Hicks - Hamblin
