Last Updated on October 25, 2022 by Griselda M.
Elephant food plant care is extremely easy and you can quickly propagate them in your backyard. These plants are named as such because they are eaten by elephants. They are characterized by their fleshy and glossy leaves. They grow as small bushes and can attract a pachyderm.
These succulents are common to regions with USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. They normally thrive in bright light conditions and draft-free rooms.
Most elephant bush succulents are used as stand-alone plants but they can look good as decorations. In many countries around the world, rare varieties of elephant bush are sold at a hefty price.
Well, if you are growing an elephant bush in your home, you should know that elephant bush plant care is very easy. Today, we will walk you through how to grow and propagate them.
How To Plant Elephant Bush
Growing elephant bush plants is simple. Elephant bush plants might get 6 to 20 feet (2-6 m.) tall in natural surroundings where it is the most loved food of elephants. In the home inside, it is considerably more liable to stay only a couple of feet (around 1 m.) tall.
The portulacaria afra has thick leaves and colored stems with little delicate green leaves that look like a modest jade plant. The home inside is a great spot to develop elephant shrub houseplants.
The elephant bush care requires warm temperatures and brilliant light. After a dormant period in the winter, the bramble creates little pink blossoms gathered in bunches at the closures of the branches.
Elephant Food Plant Care: Key Tips For a Wonderful Growth
Once established, your elephant bush plant will require a little attention. The following are some tips you can follow for growing a healthy elephant bush.
Elephant bush-like well-draining pots. Make sure you choose a pot that is not too deep or wide. See to it that there is a hole in the pot for the water to flow.
The best mixture for the portulacaria afra is to divide the soil into sand, vermiculite, and pumice. Next, choose a location that allows it to receive enough sunlight. Succulents are sun-loving plants and the elephant bush is no exception.
Learn more about: Why Are My Succulents Stretching Too Much
The propagation of Elephant Bush Succulents is just like most succulents, elephant bush is not difficult to replicate from cuttings. Take cuttings in spring or summer for best outcomes.
Allow the removal to dry and insensitive for several days and afterward plant the cutting in moist coarse soil in a little pot. Spot the cutting in a modestly lit region where temperatures are somewhere around 65 degrees F. (18 C.).
Keep the dirt delicately wet and in half a month the cutting will root and you will have another elephant bramble succulent to impart to a companion or add to your assortment.
Perfect Elephant Bush Care For Beginners
The elephant bush is a perfect addition to your succulent garden. Whether you’re placing it inside or outside, this plant will look great. In many places, this plant is called “miniature jade”, which is not related to Crassula Ovata. The most effective method to Propagate Portulacaria Afra Elephant Bush
Cuttings
The best way to propagate elephant bush is through their cuttings. Get a pair of sharp scissors. Make some cuttings from the mother plant. Allow it to dry for a couple of days to prevent infection. Once it has dried, you can start planting it on well-draining soil.
Varieties
Portulacaria Afra additionally comes in small-scale and variegated assortments. The variegated assortments are sold in many countries for
Uses
Portulacaria Afra is a mind-blowing carbon wipe, retaining undeniable degrees of carbon from the air.
As the name Elephant Food recommends, this succulent is eaten by elephants, however, takes care of goats and turtles too. It is additionally utilized in Southern African food, added to servings of mixed greens, soups, and stews to add a harsh character.
Watering: Proper Elephant Food Plant Care
While elephant food plant care is very easy, you shouldn’t forget the watering technique. As with all succulent plants, the watering technique matters. For this plant, we recommend using the “soak and dry method”, which entails sprinkling water on it and allowing it to dry.
If you touch the soil and it is still wet, you should refrain from watering. The elephant bush plant does not need to be watered all the time, especially during the dormant period. The dormant period for most succulents is during the winter.
If you are planting your portulacaria afra in a pot, you can simply take the pot inside for shelter. You may need to repot the plants that have been planted outdoors during the winter. In any case, always touch and feel the soil to determine whether it is okay to water.
Plant Covers Freeze Protection 47″ x 71″
Elephant Food Plant Care For The Winter
During the winter, your elephant bush will not grow as fast as they do during the summer days. To protect your plant from the cold, you should shield your plant from the air conditioning unit. Dry may cause the leaves of your succulent to dry. In any case, you may want to add an air humidifier to maintain the humidity level of your home.
Where should you plant your elephant bush? Portulacaria Afra isn’t cold-hardy. Hence, if you are living in a zone that has a temperature lower than 30 F (1.7 C), you should plant your succulent in a container. It does well in full to half sun. Place it on a windowsill and make sure it gets enough sunlight to live and grow a healthy plant.
If you are planting inside, place it in a radiant window. This succulent will stretch effectively if not given sufficient daylight, but the extending isn’t quite as recognizable as different succulents.
There you go, the elephant food plant care isn’t that difficult. Whether you are planting inside or outside, you can use this instruction to grow healthy succulents. For more tips about how to grow elephant bush and other succulent varieties, stay tuned to our blog every day.
Read more about: Crassula Ovata Hobbit Vs Gollum
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.