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Cactus SucculentShrubsHouseplants

Portulacaria afra

elephant bush

A slow-growing, evergreen succulent shrub with small, fleshy, glossy green leaves. Mature stems have greyish bark and young stems are often flushed with red. Clusters of tiny, saucer-shaped pale pink flowers are produced at the tips of the stems in summer

Other common names

porkbush
rainbow bush
see morespekboom
tree purslane

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1B

Botanical details

Family: Didiereaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Portulacaria are shrubby succulents with fleshy stems, branches and leaves. Inconspicuous flowers are produced in small clusters
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in very well-drained compost, such as cactus compost, in bright but indirect light. Water well between mid-spring and mid-autumn; keep almost dry at other times. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings, rooting sections of stem with bottom heat in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Minimal pruning required, see pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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