Why does the Portulacaria afra look like a tree branch?

Portulacaria afra is a very easy-care succulent plant. Compared with other succulents, Portulacaria afra is completely the type that thrives under rough, low-maintenance management. There is no need to worry about whether it is becoming leggy or whether its leaves are thick and plump, and Portulacaria afra grows fast, and its branches are easy to shape: you can tie, bind or fasten them, and you can make it grow into whatever form you want. It happens that I also have two Portulacaria afra plants at home. Yesterday, having nothing to do, I took a look and found that one pot was growing more and more like a tree branch, with no real shape.

Having no shape is not anyone else's fault; the reason is me. I did not design a shape for it and just let it grow naturally. When I felt a branch had grown too long, I tied it with string, and from time to time I trimmed the extra small buds on the stems. Not knowing how to care for it, the shape is not good-looking either. If this pot of Portulacaria afra were given a nice shape, it would surely be very eye-catching. What a pity, I do not know how to do it. Whatever it grows into, so be it.

The final propagation method for Portulacaria afra is this: do not throw away the small branches you cut off. Let them dry in the air for one or two days, then stick them into soil and they will survive. They root especially fast, within about a week, so one Portulacaria afra at home can propagate several more.

Portulacaria afra is very easy to grow. Put it in a sunny, airy spot. In summer, water it about once every half month; in the other seasons, once a month is no problem at all. It is especially drought-tolerant. Portulacaria afra is not cold-tolerant, so in winter it should be placed indoors to avoid frost damage. If you also apply fertilizer once a month, then it will really grow like crazy. If you want to design a unique shape for it, you need to prune frequently and cut off all the extra small branches. If you have no shape in mind, then like me, just let it grow freely and develop as it pleases.

Portulacaria afra can also absorb formaldehyde and carbon dioxide, and release oxygen. Moreover, Portulacaria afra symbolizes blood kinship, mutual support and being together forever. It is also a plant symbolizing love, symbolizing eternal love. Keeping a pot of Portulacaria afra at home allows you both to enjoy it as a potted ornamental and to purify the air. It is really quite nice...

Does this look good?