Product Details
Highlights
Large Leaf Elephant Food (Portulacaria afra macrophylla) (Jacobsen): This stemmed succulent is particularly versatile and easy to grow. Plant it outdoors in warm climates and it can grow into a dense, 4.0' tall shrub. Keep it indoors in a small pot and it will stay a petite, bonsai plant. It is native to South Africa and Swaziland where it grows on sunny, rocky slopes. It even has a symbiotic relationship with elephants: elephants eat some of the branches and their trampling aids propagation of new shrubs from stem cuttings.
P. afra macrophylla stands out as an easy to grow plant, even for beginners. It has deep burgundy stems that verge on purple and accent its bright green leaves. Planted outdoors, it grows as a cascading ground cover and eventually mounds upon itself into a sub-shrub. Though reluctant to bloom in cultivation, P. afra macrophylla can sometimes produce clusters of tiny, pink to lavender flowers in midsummer.
Despite similar appearance and care needs, P. afra macrophylla is not closely related to the Jade Plants. It is, however, equally easy to grow indoors. Pick pots and soil with great drainage and place the plant near a sunny window. Protect from frost and heavy rain. The stems are easily pruned into your desired form or can be left to cascade from a container. Water deeply but infrequently, and keep dry during winter dormancy. In warmer months, try your hand at propagating stem cuttings (more info). No elephants required.
Product Size
2.0" Pot
Current Primary Color
Green
All Seasonal Colors
Red
Bloom Color
Pink Bloom
Grow Zone (Hardiness)
Zone 10 (30F)
Recommended Light Conditions
Bright Indoor Light
Recommended Light Conditions
Full Sun
Maximum Height
Over 12"
Growth Habit / Shape
Shrub
Growth Habit / Shape
Vertical Grower / Tall Stem
Seasonality
Winter Dormant Partial
Special Characteristic
Easy to Propagate
Special Characteristic
Pet Safe
Recommended Purpose
Fast Grower
Recommended Purpose
Hard to Kill
THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+
WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?
