Because of its long stem, this plant is a great plant to propagate. Portulacaria afra is one of the easiest succulents to propagate. For more details on this topic, do have a look at my recent article on “Optimal Temperatures for Succulents to Prosper“. Taking Stem Cuttings for Succulent Propagation. Your Succulents Are Dying? Portulacaria afra. You may likewise root from leaves although this is not my preferred route. They develop upright horizontally however can additionally expand side to side and also sprawl or hang, which makes them a terrific choice for hanging containers or baskets. Place the potted cutting in a bright, warm spot with indirect sunlight for at least five hours a day and temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Although Elephant Rosebush looks like Jade plants closely in appearance, however, they are not connected at all. Although it can be difficult to maintain a downward-growing tree with the classic Bonsai specimens (due to a plant’s natural tendency to grow upright) this is not the case with the Portulacaria afra. Portulacaria afra care is similar to various other succulent plants. Allow the soil to drain. When an elephant pushes through a stand of Spekboom, it tears up a trunkful of the plant, trampling other stems beneath its feet. Portulacaria Afra ‘Elephant Bush’ propagates from the offsets. These succulents require well-drained soil and also an unglazed pot that will certainly assist excess wetness to evaporate. Remove the leaves from the bottom half, or 3 inches, of the cutting. When planning to plant Portulacaria Afra “Elephant Bush” from cuttings, make sure you make use of a clean and sterile, sharp blade or pair of scissors. How to Propagate Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush” Cuttings. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. The vegetation 0f Portulacaria Afra is used as food in some native cultures. How To Care for Portulacaria Afra Bonsai Sunlight. How to Propagate a Portulacaria Afra Plant: Obtain a few stem cuttings or leaf cuttings and let them dry for a day or so. Portulacaria Afra, likewise called Elephant Shrub/bush, are in some cases mistaken for Crassula Ovata ‘Jade Plant kingdom’ because of their resemblance in a whole lot of ways. Portulacaria Afra “Elephant Bush” is a ragged succulent bush having a place with the Didiereaceae family. A couple of policies on caring for elephant bush will certainly help you to grow a specimen of passion that might be a stand-alone natural herb or as part of an elaborate succulent yard. Samantha McMullen began writing professionally in 2001. Portulacaria Afra needs plenty of bright sunlight and might occasionally endure the full sun. I really do not see the need to utilize the rooting hormone, however, some people choose it to accelerate the procedure and likewise ensure success. They begin as a little shrub and also eventually grow tree-like. Step 2. For me, this is the most convenient as well as the fastest route of propagation. Mini Jade aka Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra 'Green') (Jacquin): This stemmed succulent is particularly versatile and easy to grow.Plant it outdoors in warm climates and it can grow into a dense, 4' tall shrub. Liquid fertilizer can be applied every 15 to 20 days during the growth … This is all about repotting Portulacaria afra including the mix to use, steps taken and the aftercare. You may likewise root from leaves although this is not my preferred route. Portulacaria afra ("Elephant Bush"), native to Africa, is known as "Spekboom" by the native Africans. Wait until the soil is dry. The elephant bush, native to Africa, is so named because elephants love to eat it. Elephant shrub succulents work well as components of a succulent display with plants that call for the very same care as well as conditions. Elephant bush is an easy succulent to propagate. I actually live in really completely dry weather so my watering timetable is adjusted to the completely dry out conditions of my atmosphere. Give the brightest light feasible in the home if you’re caring for the plant indoors. These have similar qualities and also features as Portulacaria Afra yet the leaves handle an appealing hue of variegated cream as well as eco-friendly/green stripes. These tools are pretty affordable and will come in handy particularly if you are uncertain of when to water your flower next. If planted outdoors in warm climates, dig in 3 inches of fine sand or gritty material to supply well-drained soil. (Optional) Dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Water whenever the soil has dried out completely. Portulacaria Afras are among the simplest succulents you can propagate from stem cuttings. The reddish colored-brownish stems in these are also much more obvious. Sunshades have actually always been a lifesaver for my plants throughout the severe summer warm or heat right here in Northern California where the temperature levels can climb above 100℉ or 37.8℃. Portulacaria afra and its variegated siblings are among my favorite succulents. If you need help in gauging your watering needs, do have a look at this wetness meter equipment. A Central Destination For Succulent Lovers. In nature, the species grows to 13 feet in height, but it is generally much smaller under cultivation. Portulacaria Afra may tolerate mild frost as well as cold temps as long as they aren’t for extended periods of time. The cuttings should take roots within 4 to 6 weeks in any environment as long as they get adequate sunlight and heat. I do not use excellent dimensions but eyeball it to around 2:1 solution of cactus blend and perlite. It is likewise discovered in Southern African cuisine, included in salads, stews, and soups to add a sour taste. Their stems are reddish-brown with glossy eco-friendly green leaves. When given sufficient water, these plants thrive well, however they can very well tolerate dry circumstances and drought. Portulacaria Afra – Uses & 5 Astonishing Steps To Propagate. One excellent method to know whether it’s a duration to water is to examine the moisture of the soil. My thought was to purchase a Jade Plant, and to add to the complication, the pot of the plant was labeled as Dwarf Jade’. You may have heard this plant called by other names such as Elephant Bush, Elephant Food, Dwarf Jade Plant, Baby Jade Plant or Porkbush. 6. If your location does not receive sufficient sunshine or you have inadequate lighting in your home, take into consideration making use of a grow-light so your plant can meet their illumination needs to develop properly, specifically throughout those dark winter season months. Preferably, the plant requires at the very least 5-6 hours of light. Light sunburn might be expected under severe warmth scenarios but otherwise, these plants can tolerate the heat. It takes a part of the stem from a plant that was growing leaves and persuades it to form roots instead. A south-facing home window will certainly function best, but an eastern or west-facing home window will certainly work too. Measure 1/4 cup of water and pour it onto the mix. Allow the cut ends to heal and callous for approximately 10 days. You can likewise acquire them online at the touch of your fingertips by visiting this page. Portulacaria afra, or elephant bush, is a small succulent shrub native to Eastern South Africa. When they land in the pot, I always leave the fallen leaves alone and let them carry out their own thing. From a distance, crassula portulacaria has leaves that look like those on typical North American variegated trees and shrubs. This succulent has a tendency to stretch conveniently. These tend to develop or grow laterally in contrast to upright like Portulacaria Afra. Propagation of Elephant Bush Succulents Like most succulents, elephant bush is easy to reproduce from cuttings. I reduced watering to about 10-14 days when the weather condition cools. It looks similar to the unrelated Jade Plant but it has rounder and smaller pads than the Crassula ovate variety. The images are showing the cultivar Portulacaria afra “Variegata” which isn’t a fast rooter. Take cuttings in spring or summer for best results. If you’re looking to add succulents to your collection of plants, it’s best to do it during spring and summer. Prior to moving the plant outdoors or trying to raise the amount of sunlight it receives, it is best to acclimate the plant so as to protect against burning or sunlight damages. All Rights Reserved. Her nearly 20 years of experience in horticulture informs her work, which has appeared in publications such as Mother Earth News. Plant the stem into the soil and water it … This process won’t take a lot of time because the Portulacaria Afra stem cuttings will take roots in 4 to 6 weeks regardless of the environment, as long as they get enough heat and sunlight. Most gardeners will propagate this succulent from cuttings. The smooth, brownish-gray trunk is very thick and heavily branched with a profusion of bright green succulent leaves. If making use of leaves, you can either place them in soil or lay them flat on the ground. Stem propagation of Portulacaria Afra “elephant bush” Cut about 3 inches of its stem. The natural growth of an Portulacaria afra produces cascading branches. Focus on the appearances of your plants and you can readjust water provision as necessary. The one I’m repotting in this post and video is Portulacaria afra “variegata”. Look for a hard, wrinkled flesh and small white spots near the end indicating the beginnings of roots. Portulacaria Afra ‘Elephant Shrub’ does great in spots that receive great deals of sunlight. That’s exactly what’s going to happen when you take this FREE EMAIL COURSE. They are used mainly as elephant foods and various other wild animals in their indigenous habitat and can develop to around 20 feet tall. The stem gets thicker in time as the plant develops. Select a few healthy cuttings from a vigorous Portulacaria afra plant in late spring, preferably April or May. Step 3. These fleshy plants can be lightly trimmed to keep their shape. For this reason, it is usually grown as an indoor plant. Elephant shrub succulents in the residence inside must not have continually wet feet. Description of Dwarf Jade Plant, Portulacaria afra. You can maintain the plant outside all year long as well as they can also be grown on the ground if you reside in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. Plant in a location of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunshine a day. Water the soil every few days or when it looks completely dry. Portulacaria afra propagates easily from cuttings like most succulents, and it will quickly put on new growth with minimal care or attention. It has small round soft green glossy padded leaves with burgundy red stems. How to propagate the Elephant bush. Caring for these plants are similar and are also listed carefully below. Once the cut has recovered and dried, placed the cuttings in a well-draining potting mix. Suppose you reside in a moist area, you will not be required to water a lot. Insert the Portulacaria afra cutting into the hole and press the soil around the stem. In winter season the plants are dormant as well as you may stop watering. The quickest way to solve this issue of a ‘wet’ Portulacaria Afra is to let it dry out. Optimal Temperatures for Succulents to Prosper, Obtain a few stems or fallen leave cuttings and allow them to dry for a day or so. Square off the end of the cuttings. In habitat, this plant forms large "thickets" known as "Spekboomvelds", and are … Portulacaria Afra “Elephant Shrub” (likewise called “Hippo Food, or” “Dwarf Jade”) is a huge, bushing succulent that has woody stems and can grow to extraordinary heights if given the appropriate time, nutrients, and finest germinating conditions. In its natural environment, variegated elephant bush can reach heights of up to 20 feet (6 m.). That’s because Portulacaria Afra is also referred to as ‘Mini Jade’ or ‘Dwarf Jade’ by some as well as is popular amongst bonsai tree growers. The best way to grow this plant is in the container if you have extreme winter conditions in your area. Make the 10 to 15 cm cut with a clean, sterile razor blade. Elephant rose bush houseplants (Portulacaria Afra) thrive in intense light in a warm, draft totally free space. More infos: it’s better to cover the pot with a freezer bag. To be able to propagate from the mother plant, you should wait several years for the main plant to produce an offset. That way you can bring them inside your home throughout winter months or when there is a forecast of ice or snow. What if you knew the 5 most common reasons succulents don’t thrive… and could fix all 5 with certainty over the next 5 days? Other names for Portulacaria Afra are pork bush and also spekboom. There are ways to save and protect them from frost or cold temperature ranges if for whatever reason you cannot bring the plants in. For me, this is the most convenient as well as the fastest route of propagation. This is one of my favorite Jade Bonsai shapes. In the summer season months, I sprinkle water on my Elephant Bush as commonly as every 7-10 days, sometimes more throughout a heatwave, providing a good drink for the plant. Although a preferred name for this succulent is “Miniature Jade,” it is not connected to Crassula ovata. There really isn’t a formula or set schedule on watering succulents plants like this. The most typical blunder/mistake made in succulent plants is watering. I have been using an easy yet excellent mixture that has been functioning completely well for my plants. Growing Portulacaria Afra Bonsai from Seed or By Propagation. Despite similar appearance and care needs, P. afra is not closely related to the Jade Plants. This is natively to South Africa. Also, when the plant is currently accustomed to full sunlight, it can still suffer sunburnt during a heatwave or extremely high-temperature level. Watering entirely depends on the climate you reside in. Select an area with indirect sunshine when trying to grow elephant bush inside your home. Avoid direct sunlight. Spekboom. How to Propagate a Portulacaria Afra Step 1. After around two weeks or thereabout, you will see brand-new roots growing. how much Sunlight Do Succulents Need Outdoors? Raise the quantity of sunlight it obtains slowly till it is fully acclimated to the sunlight. Keep it indoors in a small pot and it will stay a petite, bonsai plant. Similar to various other succulent plants, Portulacaria Afra ‘Elephant Bush’ needs well-draining soil. However, do keep in mind that you can keep it outdoors as long as it is placed … Stem cutting propagation makes use of this natural ability that plants have. They must be adjusted to full sun or the leaves will certainly get sunburnt. The non-variegated type is much more tolerant to heat. Prepare a rooting pot when the ends have calloused. It is, however, equally easy to grow indoors. I was additionally guilty of making the exact same mistake when I initially obtained an Elephant Shrub plant. However, it’s easiest to grow from cuttings that are propagated in the summer. They are hardiest in USDA areas 9-11. Cascade Bonsai Style – Kengai. Fertilize very late in winter up until early spring with an interior seed fertilizer diluted by fifty percent. Scientific name: Portulacaria afra Synonyms: Spekboom, Bacon Tree, Pork Bush, Elephant’s Food, Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant. If you require additional help with watering methods, think about using special devices like hygrometers or moisture meters to examine on for wetness in the soil and also air. The Succulents Tips - A Central Destination For Succulent Lovers. This can typically be achieved by blending cactus mix or growing soil with coarse sand (around 2:1 proportion). And also, if you keep your plant inside your home, you may not have to water quite often. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Now remove a stem from the paramount plant and never prohibit it to callous for optimum days as feasible before placing on well-draining … These plants are extremely simple to grow and proliferate. You can make use of frost cloths or mini-greenhouses to significantly assist them to make it through the cool winter. It has now been shown to be effective in carbon sequestration (binding atmospheric carbon which is responsible for climate change), in semi-arid landscapes and thicket vegetation it is also being used for restoration purposes. Portulacaria afra is an easy going succulent that has an attractive growth habit, with small green succulent leaves on a red coloured stem. Remove a stem from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before placing on well-draining soil. There are many kinds of Portulacaria Afras. The top surface of the soil needs to really feel dry prior to you watering again. 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