Portulacaria afra is also called Elephant bush. Because of its oval, fleshy mini-green leaves and pink woody stems, it is easy to maintain, and so many people love it. Elephant bush is often kept as an indoor succulent plant. Some people bend the stems of Elephant bush to make baosai or let the stems hang down as hanging succulents.

This article introduces the common problems in the maintenance of Elephant bush and provides solutions. It also proposes basic care methods for Elephant bush. This information can help you understand Elephant bush succulents and help you thrive your Elephant bush!

Common problems with Elephant bush

Maintaining an Elephant bush is simple, but you may occasionally encounter small problems. Knowing these common problems and their solutions can keep your plants healthy and beautiful. Next, we will reveal some common problems and solutions for elephant bush.

Falling leaves (light green, light yellow, softening, watery)

Problem: The soil of the Elephant bush is too wet

Reason: Excessive and frequent watering, poor soil drainage

Solution: Check that the soil is completely dry and avoid overwatering. Change to a well-drained soil mix, and have enough drainage holes at the pot.

Elephant bush stem rot (brown or black spots appear at the bottom, and later it becomes completely black)

Problem: Severe water problem in the soil of the Elephant bush

Cause: Excessive and frequent watering and poorly drained soil.

Solution: Cut off the rotten parts and make sure the cuts heal before replanting. Dry the plant in a dry, well-ventilated environment, and use well-drained soil when replanting.

Elephant bush wilted leaves

Problem: Insufficient water is in the soil of the elephant bush.

Cause: Long-term lack of watering or soil that drains too well

Solution: Use the correct watering method (soak and dry) and check if too many granular soils in the soil cause the plant to lack water.

Brown spots appear on the leaves of Elephant bush

Problem: Elephant bush is sunburned

Cause: The plant is suddenly exposed to intense light, or the new cuttings are exposed to direct sunlight

Solution: Move the Elephant bush to a cool place. Avoid compensating with watering; damaged leaves cannot recover and should be cut off.

Elephant bush stems stretching

Problem: Elephant bush will grow leggy if it does not receive enough sunlight.

Solution: Move the Elephant bush to a brighter location and provide sufficient sunlight.

Elephant bush leaves turn yellow

Problem: If it is not a problem with soil dampness, as mentioned above, then it is caused by insufficient nutrients.

Cause: Elephant bush has not been repotted and fertilized for many years

Solution: Apply diluted fertilizer in spring and autumn every year, stop fertilizing in winter, and repot regularly to replenish soil nutrients.

Black spots on the leaves of Elephant bush

Problem: Frost damage to Elephant bush and too wet soil

Cause: Extreme winter weather and Elephant bush outside and rain

Solution: Change the soil of the Elephant bush and avoid exposing the plant to cold.

Primary care of Elephant bush

Now that we know the common problems of elephant bush let's look at how to care for them. Master some essential care tips to keep your Elephant bush thriving and green!

Soil

Elephant bush needs well-drained, breathable, and nutritious soil. You can achieve this by mixing regular soil with granular material.

The best choice is soil for succulents, cacti, or a homemade soil mix. A typical formula is to mix regular potting soil with vermiculite or perlite in a 1:1 ratio.

Whatever soil you choose, avoid heavy, water-retaining soil to prevent root rotting.

Watering

Elephant bush is native to the arid regions of South Africa and is very drought-tolerant like other succulents.

Before watering the Elephant bush, I suggest you check if the soil in the pot is arid. You can judge by inserting a wooden stick into the soil and observing whether the soil on the stick is dry. Inserting the wooden stick to the bottom of the pot is generally recommended. Inserting from the edge of the pot can avoid damaging the plant's roots.

If the soil of the Elephant bush is arid, you can water it. This principle can help you make a watering plan for the Elephant bush in different seasons.

For the watering method of the Elephant bush, prepare a container slightly larger than the pot and fill it with water. Then, put the elephant bush in the container, wait for the soil of the elephant bush to be thoroughly moist, take it out, put it in a ventilated place to dry, and clean the accumulated water inside the pot in time.

This method can prevent moisture from remaining on the leaves and stems, reducing the rot risk.

Sunlight

Elephant bush likes plenty of sunlight, so it is best to place it in a sunny location. Elephant bush needs 5-6 hours of bright indirect or direct light daily.

For succulents, the morning sun is softer, while the midday and afternoon sun is more potent, which may cause sunburn to the leaves of succulents. Especially in the summer, direct solid light is likely to cause sunburn.

Whether you place Elephant bushes indoors or outdoors, please avoid too direct solid light. It is best to put your succulents in direct sunlight in the morning and indirect light in the afternoon.

Temperature

Elephant bush thrives in USDA zones 10 and 11, as the warm climate is very suitable for the growth of succulents.

However, Elephant bush plants are not cold-tolerant, and temperatures below 30°F (-1°C) will damage the plant and may cause death.

Therefore, you need to move the Elephant bush to a warm room in winter. You can also keep warm by increasing the light hours of the elephant bush.

In summer, the ideal growing temperature of Elephant bush is between 70°F and 80°F (21°C and 27°C). You can cool down the elephant bush by shading it and placing it in a well-ventilated place.

Extreme weather in summer and winter will slow down the growth rate of the elephant bush, and the elephant bush's water demand will also decrease, so you need to reduce the frequency and amount of watering.

Pot

No matter what material you transplant the elephant bush into, please ensure enough drainage holes. This is important for all succulents because the roots need air to remove excess water.

Repotting should usually be done during the growing season of the elephant bush. Generally speaking, the growing season is in spring or autumn, when the roots of succulents can adapt to the new environment more quickly.

Pruning

Elephant bush grows faster and can be pruned once a year, but it will eventually be up to you.

The best time to prune the elephant bush is in the early autumn after the summer flowering.

Use sharp, sterilized scissors or pruning knives to prune the elephant bush from the top 1/3 of the stem according to your preference. You can also clean up the spotted leaves or wilted leaves simultaneously.

Maybe you want to make an Elephant bush bonsai, and I have a few tips for this:

After trimming the Elephant bush, you can shape it by wrapping the stem of the Elephant bush with a flexible wire.

The two ends of the wire need to be sharp to prevent stabbing the plant.

Start wrapping from the top of the stem because the top of the stem of the Elephant bush is softer and less likely to break due to changing shape. In this way, you can gradually guide the growth direction of the plant to create the ideal bonsai shape.

It usually takes six months to a year to shape the Elephant bush, depending on the growth rate of the plant and the complexity of the shape you want. Remember to check the wire regularly to ensure it is not growing too tight to avoid damaging the plant.

Propagation

The propagation of Elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) is relatively simple, mainly through cuttings:

Choose cuttings: Choose healthy, disease-free stem segments as cuttings.

Cut cuttings: Cut the stem segments from the mother plant with clean and sharp scissors, ensuring the cut is flat. Stem segments with several leaf nodes help increase the chances of rooting.

Drying the cuttings: Place the cuttings in a cool, ventilated place to allow the cuttings to heal and dry, usually 1-2 days, to reduce the risk of infection.

Prepare the soil: Use a well-drained soil mix.

Planting the cuttings: Insert the dry cuttings into the prepared soil, lightly compacting the soil to secure the cuttings. Then, place in bright, indirect light.

Watering and management: Keep the soil moist with a mister for 1-2 weeks after cutting, but avoid overwatering.

Acclimation and transplanting: Once the cuttings have rooted (usually 3-4 weeks), gradually resume regular watering frequency and sunlight intensity.

Fertilization

Elephant bush plants can perform well without fertilizer. No fertilizer is needed in the first year after planting the elephant bush; after one year, the elephant bush can be fertilized monthly in spring and summer using a diluted houseplant fertilizer.

I recommend using a low-nitrogen formula, as too much nitrogen may cause whitefly problems. When fertilizing, dilute the fertilizer to 1/2 strength or the concentration marked on the label to prevent the salt from scorching the roots of succulents.

Similar Varieties to Elephant Bush

● Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): The Jade Plant or Money Plant has thick, fleshy leaves that are usually rounded. Compared to the Elephant bush, its leaves are rounder and often dark green, occasionally with red edges, and have a more waxy appearance.

● Portulacaria afra 'Variegata': This variety of Elephant bush has mottled leaves, usually a mix of green and white, adding visual variety.

● Crassula 'Gollum': This Crassula variety has leaves similar in shape to Elephant bush but is more elongated and tubular, often with red edges. It has some similarities to the elephant bush regarding growth and appearance.

● Portulacaria afra 'Prostrata': Compared to the standard elephant bush, this variant is more prone, has smaller leaves, and has a compact form, making it suitable for use as a ground cover.

Fun Facts About Elephant Bush

Edibility:

○ Taste: Portulacaria afra is called elephant bush because it is native to Africa. The leaves of elephant bush are also edible for humans, with a sweet and sour taste, and are often used in some traditional South African dishes. Its leaves contain vitamins and minerals and can be eaten as a vegetable.

Feng Shui Meaning:

○ Chinese Feng Shui: In Feng Shui, the elephant bush is often regarded as a plant that brings good luck and wealth. The abundance and growth pattern of the elephant bush symbolizes prosperity and wealth, so it is placed in the home to attract wealth and promote good luck.

Blooming:

○ Blooming: Although uncommon, elephant bush will produce small flowers under the right conditions. The flowers are usually light pink or white, small and delicate in shape, and mainly bloom in late spring and early summer. The frequency and conditions of flowering depend on light, temperature, and the plant's overall health.

The above is about the essential maintenance of Elephant bush and some problems that may arise during the maintenance of Elephant bush. If you also like Elephant Bush or have questions, share them with us in the comment area!