SKU: 37381010102
elephant bush and jade plant

elephant bush and jade plant Elephant Bush

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Description

elephant bush and jade plant Elephant BushIntroducing the Elephant Bush, also known as Portulacaria afra, which is a fascinating and popular succulent garden plant native to South Africa. It belongs to the Portulacaceae family and is known for its unique appearance and easy care requirements. The elephant bush succulent gets its name from its resemblance to the foliage of an elephant's trunk. It is also commonly referred to as the dwarf jade plant, small leaf jade, miniature jade, elephant

Introducing the Elephant Bush, also known as Portulacaria afra, which is a fascinating and popular succulent garden plant native to South Africa. It belongs to the Portulacaceae family and is known for its unique appearance and easy-care requirements.

The elephant bush succulent gets its name from its resemblance to the foliage of an elephant's trunk. It is also commonly referred to as the dwarf jade plant, small leaf jade, miniature jade, elephant food, or the Spekboom. The name "Dwarf Jade Plant" comes from its small, jade-like leaves, while "Spekboom" is an Afrikaans term meaning "bacon tree" due to the plant's edible leaves that reportedly taste like bacon.


The elephant bush plant features small, round, and fleshy pale green leaves that store water, allowing your elephant bush plant to withstand drought conditions. 

The trailing stems of the elephant bush plants are thick and red-hued, which gives them a unique and appealing appearance in hanging baskets.

When grown as a houseplant, the elephant bush typically reaches a height of 1 to 3 feet.

However, if planted outdoors in its native habitat, your Portulacaria afra can grow much larger, reaching heights of up to 20 feet. The elephant bush makes for an excellent bonsai due to its unique growth pattern and ability to withstand pruning. Its thick, fleshy leaves and sturdy branches give it a robust appearance, making it an ideal succulent for shaping into intricate bonsai designs. 

The elephant bush flowers are small, star-shaped, and usually a light pink or lavender color. While the flowers are not the main attraction of this elephant bush succulent, they can add a touch of beauty when they bloom during the spring to late summer.

The elephant bush Portulacaria afra comes in various varieties, including a slow-growing variegated form Portulacaria afra variegata; a trailing growth bush Portulacaria afra prostrata; and a midstripe rainbow bush Portulacaria afra medio-picta, offers a diverse range of beauty in green spaces.

When and How to Water Your Elephant Bush

Like other drought-tolerant jade plants, your elephant bush succulent prefers a watering routine that allows the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can harm the elephant bush plant and cause root rot.

In the summer, during the growing season, you should water elephant bush succulents once or twice a month when the soil is dry. A good rule of thumb is to water this elephant plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. In the winter, during the dormant period,  you probably do not need to water them at all. 

Remember, it's always better to underwater than to overwater the elephant bush plant. This resilient Portulacaria afra plant can tolerate drought conditions better than excessive moisture. So, keep an eye on the soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Light Requirements - Where to Place Your Elephant Bush Plant

When growing the elephant bush indoors, it thrives in bright, indirect light. Place your elephant bush plant near a window where it can receive plenty of natural bright light, but make sure to avoid direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day.

If you notice the leaves turning yellow or getting scorched, it's a sign that the Portulacaria afra elephant bush is receiving too much direct sunlight. So, finding that sweet spot of bright, indirect light is key to keeping your elephant bush succulent plant happy indoors.

If you decide to grow your elephant bush outdoors, it loves basking in the full sun. Although partial shade in the afternoon is frequently preferred, these plants need at least six hours of strong light each day to survive.

This is true, especially in hotter climates where the plant may become stressed by the afternoon sun's intense heat.

Your succulents should not be placed in any areas that receive continuous, direct sunlight, as this could lead to burned foliage.

Remember, the elephant bush is a versatile succulent plant and can adapt to different light conditions. Just keep in mind that it prefers bright, indirect light indoors and full sun to partial shade outdoors.

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

Elephant succulents are very airy, porous, nutrient-rich well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5- 6.5; succulents require fast-draining soil that dries completely between waterings. Your soil must have a sandy texture and a low water-holding capacity, just like desert soil.  Ideally, you want to use our specialized succulent potting mix that contains 5 natural substrates to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your African elephant bush plant to thrive.   

When it comes to fertilizing your elephant bush plant, it only needs a small amount of fertilizer applied once a year in spring. These succulents prefer a fertilizer with lower doses of NPK, with a maximum ratio of 5-10-5 that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen.

Hardiness Zones & More 

When it comes to growing the Elephant Bush plant indoors, the Elephant Bush prefers a cozy environment with temperatures between 65°F and 75°F. It can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, but it's best to avoid extreme cold or frost. If you notice the leaves starting to shrivel or the tips turning brown, it may be a sign that the air is too dry. You can increase humidity by placing a tray of water near the plant or using a humidifier.

If you are living in USDA zones 9-11, you can grow your Elephant Bush plant outdoors year-round. These zones have mild temperatures and are less prone to frost.  

In cooler zones, it can be kept outdoors during the summer and brought in as the temperature drops. 

Elephant Bush can handle average to slightly higher humidity levels outdoors. Just make sure to provide well-draining soil to prevent waterlogged conditions, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot.

Don't worry if your succulents become too hot; they can tolerate triple-digit temperatures in the summer and prefer constant temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Wildlife - Portulacaria afra Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators

Portulacaria afra have tiny, star-shaped flowers, which bloom in clusters, and are a magnet for friendly pollinators. Bees are particularly drawn to its nectar-rich blooms, while butterflies and other beneficial insects are also frequent visitors. In areas where it thrives outdoors, hummingbirds may be attracted to the vibrant blossoms as well. 

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

According to ASPCA, the Portulacaria afra Elephant Bush is friendly to both humans and pets such as dogs and cats. This makes it a great choice for households with curious pets or small children.

How to Propagate Your Portulacaria afra

This African elephant bush is relatively easy to propagate. It can be grown from stem cuttings, which should be allowed to dry for a day or two before being planted in well-draining soil. The cuttings usually root quickly and can be grown into new, young plants.

Key Takeaways

  1. Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) is a fantastic succulent with small, jade-like leaves.
  2. Visually appealing and easy to care for, adaptable for both indoor and outdoor growth.
  3. Tolerates a wide range of warm temperatures, between 65°F and 75°F, and handles higher humidity levels.
  4. It can thrives in bright, indirect light. It is suitable for beginner and experienced plant enthusiasts alike.
  5. Often grown as a seasonal accent plant or houseplant.
  6. Order your Elephant Bush today and add something truly exceptional to your garden.

The Bottom Line

Overall, Portulacaria afra, or Elephant Bush, is a remarkable plant that combines beauty, resilience, and ecological value. Its succulent, jade-like leaves and sprawling growth make it a striking addition to both indoor and outdoor settings, while its ability to tolerate drought and thrive in poor soils underscores its low-maintenance appeal. This plant’s capacity to attract friendly pollinators such as bees and butterflies further enhances its value in promoting biodiversity. With minimal care—bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, occasional watering, and protection from frost—Portulacaria afra can flourish for years, serving as both a stunning decorative element and an eco-friendly choice for any garden or home.

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Amazon Customer
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Love this chair!
Color: Black, Size: Pack of 1
I had an office chair that cost $300 more than this chair - had it for years, then things started breaking down on it. I read about this chair and, wow! I wish I had known about it sooner. It's more comfortable and it's not a chore to sit for a couple of hours working on designs. Wonderful design - supports my back well and it's very stable, easy to adjust.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2026
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Rogelio Luna
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Genuine Quality
Color: Black, Size: Pack of 1
Absolutely love this office chair! Super comfortable, sturdy, and easy to adjust. It made a huge difference during long hours at my desk, and the quality feels excellent for the price. Highly recommend!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026
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Jon
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 3
Good chair with some quality issues
Color: Black, Size: Pack of 1
I've been using this chair for 12+ hours a day for the last 5 or 6 months and so far it is much better than my last chair I bought at Staples with a few problems. First, overall the chair is still comfortable when set properly, the cushion on the bottom is a little worn out but is still comfortable and I find the backrest comfortable except for the lumbar support which has very little cushioning and feels like a plastic brick being pushed into my back, however I find that I can keep it mostly out of the way most of the time and it isn't noticeable when I carry most of my weight on my upper back area while reclining. The reclining angle is super comfortable and the mesh on the back is not noticeably worn out. I like the headrest which is made of a cushioned mesh, its not better than a pillow but it's very comfortable to be able to rest your head in a chair you are going to sit in for long hours and gives good support. The arm rests don't feel amazing, they have a very stiff plasticky cushion feeling that I'm not much a fan of in terms of pure comfort but they get the job done as I mostly only rest my elbows on them when typing. The arm rest adjustment has a pretty good height range and I keep them at the highest settings and set as close to the chair as possible. While the chair may be comfortable, I have had some quality issues that bring down my opinion of the chair. First, my right arm rest does not go as high as my left arm rest and I have to set the left one down two positions to match the right one Second, the back rest locking for the upright position is broken but I can rarely get it to work as long as I don't put much weight on the back. I would imagine that most people would want to lock the chair upright as opposed to the other positions. Third, the 3 screws holding in the backrest untighten themselves over time, causing the backrest to move to its furthest back position and rock left or right if I lean on either side. When I tighten them again they will usually last about 1-2 weeks before becoming mostly loose again. There is no danger of the screws completely falling out though, just losing their tightness Lastly, I'm not sure how stable or secure the wood panel at the bottom of the seat that everything attaches to is strong enough, I used to have my armrests adjusted out further from the center but when I would lift up on my arms to adjust my seating position I would occasionally hear a sound of the wood stressing under the torque from the armrests. since I moved both armrests as close to the center as I can this has not happened; I would like them a little bit wider but I don't want to risk breaking the chair over it. Also, one of the factory-installed screws in the bottom seat panel fell out and wont stay back in but I haven't noticed any problems other than the risk of stepping on a screw caused by it While this is likely the most comfortable chair I've ever sat in, I have to give it 3 stars for the uncomfortable lumbar support and the quality control issues. If the QC issues were fixed I could easily give this chair a 4 star review
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Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2022
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Wes B.
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Fantastic!
Color: Light Grey, Size: Pack of 1, Color: Light Grey, Size: Pack of 1
Outstanding quality and incredibly easy to assemble! The back support is a perfect 10/10. I was debating between the M57 and the B100, and the B100 definitely won me over. The materials feel premium and durable. Highly recommended!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2026
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Dre
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfortable. Great Value for money. Easy to assemble. Great customer service.
Color: Black, Size: Pack of 1, Color: Black, Size: Pack of 1
I've been looking for a new chair to replace a cheap $30 chair i bought off of Amazon last year that had been killing my back and shoulders. I wanted something in the $150-$200 range and settled on the M18. Shipping was a fast 3 days with Prime and the box arrived in great condition. All parts were separately wrapped or in their own boxes. Came with all hardware and nothing was missing. Assembly took me a little longer then normal because i have rotator cuff injury in my left shoulder so that arm is mostly useless. The most difficult part for me was attaching the wheels to the base. Other then that it was simple. Once the chair was assembled i sat in it for the first time and started making my adjustments with the recline feature, armrest level along with the headrest. Next i reached around for the lumbar support knob and tried to adjust it but with my bad shoulder i decided to just get out of the seat and turn it around and adjust it with both hands. After spinning the chair a round to get at the lumbar knob i noticed a large crack in the plastic in the middle of the back of the lumbar plastic piece. I had not made any lumbar adjustments yet so i assumed this is how i received it. The lumbar support comes preinstalled to the backrest so it either was damaged before or during the shipping process. Either way it was damaged before being delivered to me. The lumbar support still functioned properly but it was still broken. I decided to contact Sihoo's customer support that came along with the installation instructions regarding the damaged lumbar piece. I received a reply the next day and after sending them some more info about my order and a couple pics they shipped me a replacement part which took a week to arrive. I swapped out the damaged part and after owning the chair for a week so far i am really happy with my purchase. Im about 5'10 180lbs. At its highest height level my feet reach the ground comfortably flat footed. The backrest fully covers my back and the headrest adjusts very well to sit on the back of my lower head/upper neck. The armrests only go up and down....not forward and back or tilt inwards. This is fine for me as they are grooved to fit your forearm while sitting at your desk/keyboard. The armrests are also a soft cushioned rubber material...not a hard plastic. The mesh of the backrest and headrest are good material and seem well made. The seat is very wide and the cushioning is firm which i prefer. Usually more firm cushioning seems to last longer and hold its form. The base of the chair is VERY sturdy and made of all metal. My chair is on carpet and holds its position very well. As far as recline goes you can set it to recline all the way back, half way or lock the chair in the upright position. You can also adjust the resistance on the reclining feature. So that being said im very happy with my purchase. It arrived with a slight flaw which the company corrected in a fast manor and was very polite in their customer support. I personally don't have a lot of experience with many office chairs and have never used a high end chair($500-$1000+) chair before to make any comparisons. All my chairs for the most part have been from local stores like Staples or Office Depot. Id recommend this over anything they carry in this price range....and i went and looked at their products before buying this chair as well.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2023

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