Can Portulacaria grow in shade?

The plant is a succulent with fleshy, glossy leaves that grows as a small bush. They are only hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. Elephant bush houseplants (Portulacaria afra) thrive in bright light in a warm, draft free room.

Do Portulacaria afra need sunlight?

Portulacaria afra is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 30° F (1.7° C), it’s best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. It does well in full to partial sun. Plant in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day.

Is Elephant Bush indoor or outdoor?

A Quick Look at the Elephant Bush People also know it by its scientific name, Portulacaria afra. It can flourish in almost any climate because it is a succulent plant. It grows well both indoors and outdoors, but it’s more advisable that you cultivate it indoors.

Is Portulacaria afra same as jade plant?

Portulacaria afra or The Jade Plant is a small leaved succulent that is a semi-evergreen upright shrub or small tree. It is similar in appearance to the Crassula ovata which is also called the Jade Plant – though this one has much smaller leaves and is more compact in its growth form.

What is the difference between Crassula and jade plant?

The Crassula ovata cultivar ‘Minima’ is a mini jade plant that has small green and red-pointed leaves. Compared to common jade plants, the foliage on this miniature jade plant isn’t as dense. This gives the shrub succulent a more tree-like appearance.

Is trailing Elephant Bush toxic to dogs?

The Elephant Bush/Plant (Portulacaria afra) is a nontoxic pet safe houseplant you can have around your cats and dogs without worry.

When should I repot Portulacaria Afra?

Best Time for Repotting Portulacaria Afra. Spring through summer. I like to wait until the temperatures have warmed & the days have gotten a bit longer. In more temperate climates, you can repot from late winter through early fall.

Is Elephant Bush a Crassula?

What is this? Portulacaria Afra, commonly known as Elephant Bush, are often mistaken for Crassula Ovata ‘Jade Plants’ because they resemble each other in a lot of ways. Although Elephant Bush closely resemble Jade Plants in appearance, they are not at all related.

When should I repot my Elephant Bush?

Elephant bush is a slow-growing variety of succulent and doesn’t require frequent repotting. It’s time to repot a Portulacaria afra plant when you notice roots poking out the drainage hole. To repot the trailing succulent, choose a container one or two sizes larger than its current one.

How do you take care of Crassula?

To avoid overwatering, soak the plant, allow it to drain completely, then wait for the soil to dry out before watering again. During cooler months, you can reduce watering, as the roots can rot in cold, wet soil. Crassula plants begin actively growing in the spring, so watch for a slight increase in watering needs.

How do you identify Portulacaria afra aurea?

Portulacaria afra ‘Aurea’ (Yellow Rainbow Bush, Yellow Elephant Food) A slow growing sprawling succulent shrub which starts growing as a groundcover with older stems turning upward. It has attractive reddish-brown stems and pale yellow to light green 3/4 inch long rounded leaves – leaves emerge bright yellow and turn lime green with age.

Is Portulacaria afra Hardy?

The plant is a succulent with fleshy, glossy leaves that grows as a small bush. They are only hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. Elephant bush houseplants ( Portulacaria afra) thrive in bright light in a warm, draft free room.

Is Portulacaria afra the same as elephant bush?

Portulacaria Afra doesn’t grow upright and it often needs support as it tends to droop, while the Crassula Ovata supports itself. Portulacaria Afra, also know as “Elephant Bush” A fun fact about the Elephant Bush – in Southern African cuisine, this plant is considered a delicacy and is often added to soups, salads, and stews.

How big is a 15 year old Portulacaria afra?

A 15-year-old stand of Portulacaria afra at Desert Theater Nursery covers about 200 square feet. It consists of multiple, overlapping plants. In its native habitat, Portulacaria afra provides 80 percent of the diet of elephants.