Elephant Bush
Taxonomy
Portulacaria afra 'Medio-picta'
Portulacaria
Didiereaceae
Caryophyllales
How to care for Elephant Bush
Water
How often to water your Elephant Bush
every 12
Elephant Bush needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot located in Fort Worth, Texas.
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
Light
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.
Fort Worth, Texas
54% Low
Finding light for Elephant Bush in your home
a window
Elephant Bush love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive during this time of reduced sunlight intensity in Fort Worth, Texas ⛅.
Elephant Bush does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Nutrients
How to fertilize 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 it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Elephant Bush after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
FAQs
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
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 🏡.
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 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
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!
Fertilizer
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!
Dormancy
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.
Native Region
Elephant Bush is native to Southern Africa.
Care Summary for Elephant Bush
Elephant Bush
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 12 days
Placement
< 1ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on your location in Fort Worth, Texas, the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
