Portulacaria afra - Elephant Bush

Portulacaria afra, the elephant bush is a succulent houseplant highly prized for its ease of growing and its small tree-like appearance. Native to the warm regions of southern Africa, this succulent forms a compact bush with small round leaves. It is used as an indoor bonsai or simply decorates a beautiful pot on a windowsill. Able to tolerate bright light, dry apartment air and missed waterings, it is a plant accessible to beginners.

Portulacaria afra benefits from spending the summer outdoors, in full sun. Bring it indoors as soon as temperatures drop below 10°C, to overwinter it in a bright spot, kept above 5°C.

Nicknamed elephant bush or elephant tree, Portulacaria afra now belongs to the Didiereaceae family. This plant has several historical botanical synonyms, including Crassula portulacaria, Crassula portulacastrum, Claytonia portulacaria, Portulaca fruticosa.  Its vernacular name of elephant bush refers to its role as a fodder crop for these large herbivores in its native habitat. 
The natural distribution range of Portulacaria afra covers a large part of southern and eastern Africa. It is found on well-drained rocky slopes, xerophytic thickets, succulent scrub, from sea level up to over 1,000 m altitude. 

Morphologically, the elephant bush presents itself as a highly branched succulent shrub, with a bushy habit. Grown in a pot, it eventually reaches 0.60 to 1.20 m in height and about 50 cm in width. The stems, initially fleshy and reddish, gradually become woody and grey-brown as they age. The plant forms a trunk over time. The foliage, semi-evergreen to evergreen depending on conditions, is one of its main assets. The leaves are opposite, small, round to obovate, very fleshy. They measure 1 to 2.5 cm in length and 1 to 1.5 cm in width, are a fresh, glossy green. Inserted very densely on the branches, they give the vegetation a cloud of small leaves appearance above a framework of sinuous branches.
The flowering is rare indoors, but deserves description: Portulacaria afra produces in spring or early summer small pale pink to mauve-pink flowers, 2 to 3 mm in diameter, borne in terminal clusters a few centimetres long. The fruits, when pollination occurs, are tiny ellipsoid achenes, translucent, pinkish, with small wings. Indoors, very abundant light, marked temperature ranges and a cool rest period are needed to hope for it to appear.

Le Portulacaria afra enjoys a very bright position, preferably in full sun or near a well-lit window. It tolerates temperatures ranging from 10 to 30 °C, but must be protected from cold below 5 °C. Its growing medium should be very well-draining, a mix of cactus compost, coarse sand and perlite being ideal to avoid excess moisture. Watering should be moderate, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. In winter, the plant enters dormancy and will only receive occasional waterings. 

The Elephant Bush fits perfectly into a bright living room, conservatory or well-lit office. A large terracotta pot, in a terracotta colour, will enhance its very fresh green foliage. You can associate it with Portulacaria afra 'Variegata', Portulacaria afra 'Macrophylla', Crassula ovata 'Minor' or even Senecio herreianus 'Purple Flush'. The variegated foliage of 'Variegata', the large rounded leaves of 'Macrophylla', the compact silhouette of the jade plant 'Minor' and the trailing stems tinged with purple of the Senecio create a graphic succulent scene that is very easy to maintain indoors. 
For a bonsai effect, plant it in a shallow pot and prune it regularly.