How to Care for the Elephant Bush Plant and Answers to Common Questions

The elephant bush, botanically known as Portulacaria afra, is a succulent native to South Africa and belongs to the evergreen shrubs. Its leaves are small, round and fleshy, its stems thick and its branches pliable; after years of growing it forms a reddish-brown old trunk with great ornamental appeal, and it is often pruned and trained into bonsai of various shapes.

The common elephant bush has emerald green leaves, and there are also variegated cultivars in horticulture, such as the rainbow bush, whose leaf edges are rimmed with creamy white, giving richer color that is very popular among plant lovers. It grows fairly fast, tolerates pruning well and sprouts readily; with proper care it easily develops into a gnarled old-trunk form.

As for care, the elephant bush likes a sunny, warm and dry environment; when light is insufficient it tends to grow leggy, with thin, weak branches and faded leaf color. Watering should follow the principle of letting the soil dry out completely before watering thoroughly, and the soil is best loose, airy and well draining; never let water stand in the pot for long, or the roots will rot easily. When winter temperatures drop, move it indoors to keep it warm and reduce watering to help the plant overwinter safely.

The most common problem in daily care is small white insects on the branches and leaves, mostly scale insects, which are more likely when ventilation is poor and the environment is stuffy and damp. Once found, wipe off the insects promptly or cut off the affected branches, and only spray the appropriate pesticide if the situation is serious. Usually pay attention to more ventilation and thin out overly dense branches and leaves appropriately, and the plant will grow healthier. In addition, the elephant bush roots easily from cuttings: cut off a section of branch, let the wound dry, then insert it into slightly moist sandy soil and it will quickly take root and grow into a new plant.