Golden Elephant Bush
Taxonomy
Portulacaria afra Gold
Portulacaria
Didiereaceae
Caryophyllales

How to care for Golden Elephant Bush

How often to water your Golden Elephant Bush

every 12
Golden Elephant Bush needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesnāt 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

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Golden Elephant Bush in your home

a window
Golden Elephant Bush love being close to bright, sunny windows š.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Golden Elephant Bush does not tolerate low-light š«.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Golden Elephant Bush in your home š”.

How to fertilize Golden Elephant Bush

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 itās likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Golden Elephant Bush after it doubles in size or once a yearāwhichever comes first.

Golden 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.
Sunlight Needs
Golden 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 šŖ. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home š”.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plantās toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, itās always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control atĀ US (800) 222-1222.Ā If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA atĀ US (888) 426-4435.
Humidity
Golden Elephant Bush prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
Soil
Golden Elephant Bush is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesnāt 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!
Fertilizer
Golden Elephant Bush grows very slowly and doesnāt require added fertilizer. Replacing your plantās potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
Itās common for Golden 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
Golden Elephant Bush is native to Southern Africa.
Care Summary for Golden Elephant Bush
Golden Elephant Bush
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4ā pot your plant is in, and that it doesnāt get direct sunlight.
