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Taxonomy
Portulacaria afra 'Lilliput'
Portulacaria
Didiereaceae
Caryophyllales

How to care for Elephant Bush Lilliput
How often to water your Elephant Bush Lilliput

every 12
Elephant Bush Lilliput 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
Finding light for Elephant Bush Lilliput in your home

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

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 Elephant Bush Lilliput after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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Lots of #NewGrowth here this Monday, (I’ll be posting more throughout the day!) but wanted to share some recent things, a new leaf on ruby my ‘Red Siam aurora’ #Aglaonema ❣️. Then my little house concrete planter, I love how my props look in this planter, so cozy 🤭🌱 In picture three I have my largest planter out of the set, finally planted I’ll have to get a picture with all three of them together 🤩 they are supposed to be mounted.. but we never made it to that step 😅. I replanted Winston, my #ElephantBush & duke my #OxTongue picture 4 is of my Haworthia reticulata bloom, it had one but looks like more are starting to form, I love how easy & pretty #Haworthia ‘s are 🤗✨🌱 & picture 5 is my #Hoya plant , I have two this one was made from a cutting and is finally starting to look presentable 🤭🤩 what are you guys growing/repotting today ? 👇🏻 #SucculentSquad #SucculentLove #PlantAddict
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Also I need help with this one as well. Rescu plant as well
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Dax seems to have some shrively leaves.. should I water it more? It is in a long pot with two other succulents.. #ElephantBush
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How can I save it? I’ve gotten this elephant bush quite a while ago. It was all healthy and pretty happy! Lately it’s been dying. I’ve watered it enough and I give it enough sunlight. My dad said it’s in a really bad condition and I agree. She barely has any leaves now. I need some advice to save it
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Overcompetitive EB? How does everyone keep their elephant bushes happy in one container? Out of the original plants, 2 have died, 2 have been forced into nursery pot rehab, and one has become the Queen Bee. Do they just need to be in a bigger pot together, or is nature just doing it's thing? Looking at the Queen Bee with some serious side eye 😒 #elephantbush #succulentsquad #plantsmakepeoplehappy #pleasejustbehave #youdonthavetobelikethis
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What type pot is best for Elephant bush? #ElephantBush #HappyPlants
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I took out some of the dried ones and this was the only one left. I may have to repot it. Any suggestion to grow this elephant bush? #ElephantBush
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Is this too much morning sun for this guy? Before this app, I couldn’t identify what this guy was. I got this as a cutting around Easter. I rooted it in water until the roots were about 2 inches and then planted in the pot it’s in now (3” pot). I was told it was a succulent and they love sun, but that’s not what I have been reading? He hasn’t grown much. Maybe a few new leaves? In 6 months, he hasn’t grown longer or fuller. I want to make sure I’m doing right by him, specifically from people in the know. Thanks so much for you help and time! #Peperomia #HappyPlants #newbie #PlantsMakePeopleHappy
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All the little leaves are falling off my plant. I water it according to the app. Stem looks healthy, but almost no leaves at all. Help?! #ElephantBush
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Whyyyy?? Leaves are gone 😫 My poor little guy - he dropped almost all of his leaves! I moved him to an area with no draft and a good grow light, and also repotted him (after lost leaves) to a terracotta pot, hoping this will make him happy. It does look like he may have some new growth… will all his leaves grow back, or do I need to prune his stems? What do I do? Any help/ advice is greatly appreciated!! #ElephantBush #helpplease #NewPlantMom #fallingleaves
Elephant Bush Lilliput 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
Elephant Bush Lilliput 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 🏡.
🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
💨 Humidity
Elephant Bush Lilliput 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.
🪴 Soil
Elephant Bush Lilliput 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!
💩 Fertilizer
Elephant Bush Lilliput 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!
❄️ Dormancy
It’s common for Elephant Bush Lilliput 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
Elephant Bush Lilliput is native to Southern Africa.
🧐 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.
Care Summary for Elephant Bush Lilliput
Elephant Bush Lilliput
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
