Elephant Bush Plant Guide: How to Grow Elephant Bush

Elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) is a succulent native to South Africa. The common name elephant bush comes from the fact that the succulent plant serves as elephant food. Elephants feed on the succulent’s fleshy leaves. Goats and tortoises may also graze on the variegated leaves of the elephant bush plant. Other common names for the elephant bush plant include spekboom, dwarf jade, miniature jade, and porkbush.

Elephant bush is prized for its flexible leaves, which bonsai growers often bend into creative shapes. You can easily integrate the elephant bush into your bonsai succulent garden. Soups and stews made with the elephant bush plant are also popular in South Africa. Like most desert plants, the elephant bush succulent is drought-tolerant and thrives outdoors in full sun. USDA hardiness zones ten and eleven make ideal climates for elephant bush plants.

Elephant bush comes in several colorful varieties. Consider planting one of these varieties in your garden.

1. 1. Rainbow bush (Portulacaria afra ‘Variegata’): The rainbow bush variety has red stems or brown stems, along with pale green leaves and white variegation. This variegated elephant bush is easy to maintain and a good choice for propagation.
2. 2. Midstripe rainbow bush (Portulacaria afra 'Medio-picta'): This slow-growing succulent shrub is distinct for its reddish-brown stems. The midstripe rainbow bush plant is also notable for its showy, white-striped leaves.
3. 3. Yellow rainbow bush (Portulacaria afra 'Aurea'): The yellow rainbow bush variety of elephant push features reddish-brown stems and tiny rounded yellow leaves. This elephant bush variation is sprawling and makes a good ground cover.
4. 4. Jade plant (Crassula ovata): Sometimes called “lucky plant” or “money plant,” the jade plant blooms with small pink and white flowers. Even though they grow slowly—roughly two inches a year—jade plants can reach up to six feet in height and three feet in width.

Planting an elephant bush is easy if you follow some basic steps.

1. 1. Use a sandy soil mix. A rocky or sandy potting soil is best for the elephant bush. Cactus mix with pumice is another excellent option for planting your elephant bush. Soils with vermiculite work better for elephant bush versus those with perlite.
2. 2. Plant elephant bush in a sunny spot. Bright light is best for your elephant bush plant if it is outdoors. Indirect sunlight yields the best results for growers with hanging baskets and other indoor arrangements.
3. 3. Space your elephant bush plants appropriately. Space your elephant bush plants a moderate distance apart since they grow slowly. Allow about two feet between each elephant bush to prevent crowding and to facilitate full-size growth. One foot of space between elephant bushes is adequate if you want them to appear as a group or cluster of plants.

Caring for elephant bush plants is relatively easy with a few simple tips.

1. 1. Water your elephant bush more frequently in the summer. It is essential for the plant’s health that the soil stay mildly moist rather than saturated. Be sure to water your elephant bush plants regularly in the growing season from April through October. You may take a break from watering during the winter months. Overwatering of the elephant bush may lead to root rot and other fungal diseases.
2. 2. Fertilize your elephant bush as needed. Elephant bush plants do well with minimal feeding and do not require fertilizer in the first year after planting. If you want to encourage growth after a year, pick a half-strength liquid fertilizer and feed your elephant bush plant a maximum of once per month.
3. 3. Keep an eye out for pests. Mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies may infest your elephant bush plant. Avoid overwatering and use pots with good drainage holes to prevent infestations. If an infestation does occur, use a natural deterrent like neem oil or a forceful spray of water to remove the pests.
4. 4. Protect your plants from frost. The elephant bush is a tough plant, but be sure to take it indoors if it gets too cold outside. A minimum nighttime temperature of fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Any temperature below freezing (thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit) is too cold for your elephant bush to survive.
5. 5. Prune your elephant bush as needed. Pruning is optional for the elephant bush. You may prefer to let your elephant bush plants sprawl or can prune your bushes into different shapes. Always use clean, sharp shears if you are pruning your elephant bush.
6. 6. Propagate your elephant bush as needed. Take stem cuttings to propagate your elephant bush plant. Sometimes the elephant bush self-propagates if leaves and branches are on the soil. Repot if your elephant bush plants outgrow their containers.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.