How to Care for Portulacaria afra (Elephant Bush)

Korean name: 포르툴라카리아

Portulacaria afra is a succulent plant with small, round, and thick leaves. It grows in a shrubby tree-like form and has a relatively fast growth rate. It is easy to care for and drought-tolerant, making it suitable for beginners.

Key facts

• Category: Succulent
• Difficulty: Easy
• Where to keep: indoors or outdoors
• Native to: South Africa
• Growth rate: Fast
• Pets: No known toxicity, so it is fine to keep around pets.
• Traits: succulent, drought-tolerant, beginner-friendly, tree form, foliage plant
• Also known as: Elephant Bush, Spekboom, Dwarf Jade Plant

Care Guide

• Light: Thrives in bright indirect light or partial shade.
• Watering: Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dry.
• Soil: Use well-draining soil suitable for succulents.
• Humidity: Tolerates average indoor humidity well.
• Temperature: 15~30°C
• Fertilizer: Apply diluted liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.

Common questions

How often should you water Portulacaria afra?

Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dry. Roughly every 14 days is the baseline; adjust for the season and the spot it sits in.

Where should you keep Portulacaria afra?

It likes Thrives in bright indirect light or partial shade.. You can grow it indoors or outdoors. Use Use well-draining soil suitable for succulents..

Is Portulacaria afra safe around pets?

No known toxicity, so it is fine to keep around pets.

Is Portulacaria afra good for beginners?

Difficulty: Easy. It is forgiving enough for a first plant. Keep it around 15~30°C. Humidity: Tolerates average indoor humidity well.. Fertilise Apply diluted liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season..