Elephant Food

Portulacaria Afra

Elephant’s Food is a super cool, unique succulent known by many names around the world. It’s a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa and has adapted extremely well in Arizona and central Mexico. Some refer to this tough, hardy beauty as the dwarf jade plant, porkbush and spekboom. However, a true jade has much smaller leaves and is more compact in its growth form. Both are ideal plant for a beginner bonsai, enthusiast. (that would be me!) Elephant bush has the reddish stem and the jade has the greenish/golden-browish stems.

It’s a landscape artists dream!

• Lone plant in a pot or garden space? put elephant food there

• Not much water in this spot?- put elephant food there

• Too sunny?- put elephant food there

• Morning sun only?- put elephant food there

• Not much sun at all?- put elephant food there

• Need something as a ground cover? -put elephant food there

• Need a bush/shrub? put elephant food there

• Hanging basket? put elephant food there

• Want to try your hand at beginner bonsai? - put elephant food there

• Rock garden? Only plant in the area? -put elephant food there

• Desert landscape? - put elephant food there

• Need some green in that spot?- put elephant food there

• Something safe for pets and kids? Non Toxic? No sticker or thorns? - put elephant food there

• Want low maintenance, water wise? - put elephant food there

Stems and trunks are thick yet pliable, making it a delight to arrange or design. Leaves are almost a chartruese green with dark greenish/brown edges and round to tear drop in shape, with a glossy coating . Just lovely.

Elephant food is native to dry climate zones and is the only plant within the genus Portulacaria. As the common name suggests, it is a popular food of elephants and other range animals.

While well adapted to heat, sun and drought, it is sensitive to frost. This plant is commonly used in containers including hanging containers, in the ground and in rock gardens. It’s will also make a handsome houseplant as long as it has adequate daily warmth from sunlight. One cultivar we can get in the Phoenix burbs is the, P. a. 'Variegata'. It grows with a spreading habit that allows it to spill over the edges of containers and low walls; over boulders and makes a nice ground cover/filler.

If desired, prune for size control or for cuttings, and to shape, ideally in spring.

I personally assume the portulacaria is female as it is extremely drought and sun tolerant, knowing how to ‘take the heat’ while also ‘accepting’ more moisture than our desert succulents. It can go both ways, adaptable, versatile, and able to cope, can grow in all kind of shapes- a multi-tasker and still keep lookin’ pretty.

This plant’s segmented stems are red to reddish-brown. Cuttings are quick to root, allowing you to share your plant with friends, spread it around your garden, easily start as a bonsai, another houseplant or create a terrarium!

Light Needs: This plant loves full sun.

Watering Needs: It depends on location of the plant and what type of container and draining it has. But suffice to say that in January –February just keep the soil damp down to about a finger tip’s length. In March water a little more frequently and in May ramp it up to a regular weekly watering through October. You’ll know if the plant is too dry as the stems will look drier, shriveled and they will get limp. Weirdly, the stems show before the leaves. Don’t ever leave it wet or soggy. If your container has drainage holes, the plant needs more water, if not, less water. (full disclosure, I once left a plant sitting n full sun for a whole summer and it wasn’t watered for 4 months!! It was well established and in a large, deep planter approximately 3 feet tall and it was non-draining. BUT.. It had been watered well before I left and the neighbors said we had approximately ¼ inch of rain during monsoon in July. Come September, yep, my girl was dry, and thirsty and a bit limp and ragged, but with approximately a gallon of water and a move to a spot with only morning sun, she was looking spry within a week!) They are quite forgiving.

Average Landscape Size: Elephant Food can grow up to 8 feet high and half as wide.

Key Features: Waterwise, always green.

Poisonous: No.

The foliage is edible – and is commonly eaten in southern Africa, usually in salads or soups to add a sour flavor and was traditionally used medicinally for a variety of minor ailments.

I have never had a problem with pests. If you experience pests, I would hose off with a bit of water mixed with a drop of dish soap.

Very easy to propagate. Creating the ideal conditions for the stem cuttings to propagate, you’ll get the stems to root quickly. Leaves will then begin to show in as little as 10 days. In April or May, use the thickest branch and measure 5 or 6 inches from the tip of the branch, then make a 45-degree angle cut using pruning shears. Square off the end of those cuttings. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. I place the potted cutting in a bright, warm spot with indirect sunlight for at least five hours a day and temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Apply 1/4 cup of water every seven days. Rooting occurs in 14 to 20 days.

Soil Amendment? I have never used any type of soil amendment for my elephant food. I use regular potting soil in pots or I plant directly in ground. I have mixed the soils from the ground with a little top soil or potting soil, if I have it. For bonsai, I use a special bonsai mix soil, because I have it, not because I have to.

I only seldom (once a year at best) add a dash of succulent food.

They are so easy to raise.

You will grow attached. So have fun with it.