Elephant Bush

Elephant Bush is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

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.

Elephant Bush Water Frequency →

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 🏡.

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.

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.

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!

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!

It’s common for 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.

Elephant Bush is native to Southern Africa.

Elephant Bush grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

USDA Hardiness Zone
Elephant Bush can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Elephant Bush can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:

• Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
• To get the cutting to root, you can either:
  
  • Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
  • Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.

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.