How to Grow and Care for a Potted Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis'

Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis', also known as variegated elephant bush, gongsun tree and golden branch jade leaf, is a variegated mutant cultivar of the elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) in the family Portulacaceae, genus Portulacaria. Its leaf shape and colour are quite attractive and it has a certain ornamental value. Placed in a pot beside a television or computer it can absorb radiation, and it can also be grown indoors to help purify the air. Let us take a look below at how to grow a potted Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis'!

Growth Habits of Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis'

Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis' is widely distributed across the world's temperate and tropical regions, and prefers a sunny, warm, dry environment with good ventilation. It is drought-tolerant and dislikes damp shade and cold. Although it can also grow normally under semi-shade and scattered light, the variegated colouring on the leaves will fade and the distance between the stem nodes will lengthen, making the plant loose and not compact, which affects its ornamental value.

Propagation Methods for Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis'

1. Cuttings: Cuttings of Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis' are generally taken during the growing season. The cuttings can be branches trimmed off during shaping; there are no strict requirements on length, but they must have at least 3 to 4 pairs of leaves. Before planting, remove the lower leaves and let them dry for 1 to 2 days; once the wounds have dried, insert them into the growing medium and place them where there is no direct sunlight, keeping the soil slightly moist. They will root in 2 to 3 weeks.

2. Grafting: Because Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis' was introduced not long ago, gnarled, old-looking mature plants are not easy to find. Enthusiasts often use the more vigorous old plants of its original species——the elephant bush——as rootstock, grafting by the inlay method with very good results. Grafting is also carried out during the growing season, using the original species of Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis', the elephant bush, as rootstock and grafting by the cleft method.

How to Grow Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis'

1. Soil: Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis' requires loose, fertile soil with good drainage and aeration. A common mix is 2 parts leaf mould, 2 parts coarse sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1 part garden soil, with a small amount of plant ash or bone meal mixed in as a base fertiliser, used after mixing evenly. Repot once every 1 to 2 years in spring; when repotting, cut away any rotten roots and plant in fresh growing medium.

2. Light: Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis' likes a sunny environment. Although it can also grow normally under semi-shade and scattered light, the distance between the stem nodes lengthens, making the plant loose and not compact, which affects its ornamental value, so full sun is acceptable, with appropriate shading during high temperatures. In addition, ensure good ventilation during the high summer temperatures to prevent leaf drop and root rot caused by muggy, humid conditions.

3. Watering: Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis' likes a dry environment and is drought-tolerant. Normally, watering should follow the principle of "water thoroughly only when completely dry", avoiding long-term waterlogging of the potting soil. In winter, water less and keep the potting soil dry. When the temperature is above 35 degrees, spray around the pot to increase air humidity. Do not leave it in the rain for long periods during the rainy season, to avoid root rot. Keep the potting soil dry in winter; it can overwinter safely at around 5°C.

4. Fertilising: Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis' likes fertiliser, so during the peak growing seasons of spring and autumn it needs a diluted, well-rotted liquid fertiliser or compound fertiliser once every half month. Note, however, that the nitrogen content in the fertiliser water must not be too high, lest the leaves carry too much green and fail to bring out the characteristics of the cultivar.

5. Shaping: Because this species grows quickly, Portulacaria afra 'Foliis Variegatis' must be pruned and shaped frequently, removing surplus branches to keep the plant's form elegant. Shaping can be done by combining wiring and pruning; common styles include the straight-trunk style, curved-trunk style, slanting-trunk style, cascade style and waterside style, among other different forms.