1/10

Large Leaf Elephant Bush

5.0 out of 5 (1 experiences)

Survivor

Also known as

Portulacaria afra macrophylla

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Portulacaria afra 'Macrophylla'

Genus

Portulacaria

Family

Didiereaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

How to care for Large Leaf Elephant Bush

💦 Water

How often to water your Large Leaf Elephant Bush

Large Leaf Elephant Bush needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Large Leaf Elephant Bush in your home

Large Leaf Elephant Bush love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Large Leaf Elephant Bush does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Large Leaf Elephant Bush in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Large Leaf Elephant Bush

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Large Leaf Elephant Bush: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Large Leaf Elephant Bush after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #LargeLeafElephantFood

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Large Leaf Elephant Bush is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Large Leaf Elephant Bush →

Common Large Leaf Elephant Bush Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Large Leaf Elephant Bush thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Large Leaf Elephant Bush Water Frequency →

Large Leaf Elephant Bush Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Large Leaf Elephant Bush requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Large Leaf Elephant Bush Light Requirements →

Large Leaf Elephant Bush Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Large Leaf Elephant Bush is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Large Leaf Elephant Bush Toxicity to Cats →

Large Leaf Elephant Bush Toxicity to Dogs →

Large Leaf Elephant Bush Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Large Leaf Elephant Bush enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.

Large Leaf Elephant Bush Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Large Leaf Elephant Bush is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Large Leaf Elephant Bush →

When and How to Successfully Repot Large Leaf Elephant Bush →

💩 Fertilizer

Large Leaf Elephant Bush grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Large Leaf Elephant Bush →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Large Leaf Elephant Bush to go dormant in the summertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Large Leaf Elephant Bush is native to Southern Africa.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Large Leaf Elephant Bush bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Large Leaf Elephant Bush Flowers →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Large Leaf Elephant Bush will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

How and When to Prune Large Leaf Elephant Bush →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Large Leaf Elephant Bush can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Large Leaf Elephant Bush →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Large Leaf Elephant Bush. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!