Elephant ear plants grow from a swollen stem similar to a bulb but known as a corm. Practicing social distancing and conducting (only essential) client interactions at a safe 6’ distance to protect our customers & staff. In nature, the species grows to 13 feet in height, but it is generally much smaller under cultivation. It is hardy to thirty degrees Fahrenheit. Elephant food couldn't be easier to overwinter, either. Originally from Africa, it is extremely drought, heat, and sun tolerant, while also accepting more moisture than our desert succulents. Variegated Elephant Food is a multi-stemmed annual with an upright spreading habit of growth. Arizona's premier plant nursery & landscape design company. Indoors is an excellent place to grow elephant bush houseplants. Cut the elephant bush stem 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10cm) from the end at an angle. Product Description. Unlike many other South African succulents, Portulacaria afra is fine with high humidity and rainfall (it grows well in Florida and Hawaii) as well as desert sun and heat. Elephant food is native to dry climate zones across coastal and inland parts of South Africa and is the only plant within the genus Portulacaria. Cuttings are quick to root, allowing you to share your plant with friends or spread it around your garden! This plant’s segmented stems are bright red to reddish-brown; beautifully contrasting its rounded,… This is all about repotting Portulacaria afra including the mix to use, steps taken and the aftercare. Growth can be full as well as colorful; here's that same pot enjoying the Summer on the terrace. Help! It also prefers occasional water, especially during the hot, dry summer. Also sometimes called elephant food or elephant plant; dwarf jade, miniature jade or small leaf jade (but not related to jade plant, Crassula ovata ); porkbush; … Use this plant in containers, entryways, or patios. Combine it with other interesting low-water-use plants, or train it as a bonsai. Staff is eligible to use their available paid sick time for any such occurrence of illness. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and can be pruned at anytime. Portulacaria afra (elephant's food, elephant bush, spekboom) thrives in warm, sunny climates. Other common names are Pork Bush, Elephant Bush, and Spekboom (Afrikaans for bacon tree). Help! Variegated Elephant Food. It can be planted in rock gardens, … Elephants eat parts of the plant, and spit out the leaves and seeds, which help to propagate the plant. Elephant’s Food is a versatile succulent that has been known by many names around the world throughout its long reign of popularity. Elephant Bush adapts to either full sun or shade, is not particular about the pH, but does require well-drained soil.This succulent propagates best from stem cuttings taken in spring or summer. The elephants consume the plant from the top downward. Water the plant around the edges of the pot and not directly on the tuber. This plant is a member of the Porkbush family (Didiereaceae). It was previously assigned to the Purslane family. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone. Elephant ears' species name, esculentia, is the same term that gives us the word "esculent," meaning edible. Portulacaria afra, or elephant bush, is a small succulent shrub native to Eastern South Africa. Elephant Bush plant is a succulent with fleshy, glossy leaves that grows as a small bush. Originally from Africa, it is extremely drought, heat, and sun tolerant, while also accepting more moisture than our desert succulents. It has small, circular, fleshy, bright green foliage on reddish-brown stems. These amounts can be double for a hungry and thirsty individual. © 2018 Desert Horizon Nursery. HORTICULTURE UNLIMITED IS NOT A NURSERY OR SUPPLIER. It has small, circular, fleshy, bright green foliage on reddish-brown stems. They are herbaceous perennials in warm climates. The bush has thick succulent brown stems with small tender green leaves that resemble a diminutive jade plant. Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F. Portulacaria afra (Elephant Food) - An upright growing plant (8-12 feet tall) with reddish brown stems and 1/2 inch long emerald green succulent leaves. Logee's Plants for Home & Garden recommends feeding biweekly with a balanced 15-15-15 ratio fertilizer or top-dressing the soil with granular, slow-release fertilizer in spring. Because of its production potential and popularity as a vegetable in various cuisines, it can be raised as a cash crop . Elephant Bush Succulents Elephant bush plant may get 6- to 20-feet (2-6 m.) tall in habitat where it is a favorite food of elephants. Protulcacaria afra variegata. We have regular staff meetings, all with the above safety measures in place, to continue working together as a team to ensure your safety and ours. Portulacaria afra forma macrophylla (Large Leaf Elephant Food) - An upright growing plant (8-12 feet tall) with reddish brown stems and 1 inch long emerald green leaves. Been there for about 3-4 years. From shop PlantsOnPlants $ 19.77. And, as the common name suggests, it is a popular food of elephants and other range animals. Supervisory staff is secondarily monitoring all workers for signs of illness and are sending home anyone who displays symptoms of illness prior to their entrance to our facility. Elephants are herbivores: they eat a range of plants, including grasses, fruit, and roots. In its native habitat, the plant is in danger from domestic goats which consume the lower stems of the plant so it cannot regenerate and grow. The flowers are a good source of nectar for birds and insects. An adult elephant consumes about 100 kg (220 pounds) of food and 100 litres (26 gallons) of water per day. Some of the top branches did freeze this year (Scottsdale, Az), but I just cut them off and the plant seemed to be doing fine. Elephant’s Food is a versatile succulent that has been known by many names around the world throughout its long reign of popularity. Trim the top to make it spread as a low shrub or ground cover. They have reddish-brown stems with glossy green leaves. Elephant bush, Portulacaria afra, is a perennial succulent shrub from South Africa that is a popular succulent garden plant around the world. The leaves of these plants are edible and have a tart flavor. We offer online meetings for your comfort. Take the Cuttings. In the home interior, it is much more likely to remain just a few feet tall. In its native habitat, the plant is heavily browsed and eaten by elephants, wild game, and tortoises. This plant grows quickly to form a large thicket of growth in its native habitat. All of a sudden my elephant food in an 8'x8' brick planter is yellowing off and looks like it is dying. Portulacaria afra Elephant’s Food is a versatile succulent that has been known by many names around the world throughout its long reign of popularity. Portulacaria Afra-’Elephant Bush’ is native to South Africa. It's frost-tender, but unless severely damaged, will bounce back. Similar to the more common Portulacaria afra form but will leaves about twice the size and more widely spaced. Any staff showing signs or symptoms of illness are being advised to stay home. It is much more versatile, being able to withstand summer sun as well as living in shade. Trim the sides and it will grow upright with a lot of character. Description. A password reset link will be sent to you by email. Prepare the Pots. We are staying updated on all recent developments and our primary concerns is to our clients and staff. We want to let all of our customers know that we have precautionary measures in place to ensure the safety and wellness of our customers and employees! From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Portulacaria afra (known as elephant bush, dwarf jade plant, porkbush and spekboom in Afrikaans) is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa. In fact, elephant ears are an important food source in warm climates around the world. Originally from Africa, it is extremely drought, heat, and sun tolerant, while also accepting more moisture than our desert succulents. Website by YESIMAROBOT. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.This is a relatively low … The smooth, brownish-gray trunk is very thick and heavily branched with a profusion of bright green succulent leaves. Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush,” “Elephant Food,” “Dwarf Jade” Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush” is a large, bushing succulent with woody stems that can grow to incredible heights when given the proper time, nutrients, and growing conditions. *Our plant guide provides informational resources regarding plants that we commonly use. We are staffed and ready to serve you with all your landscape installations, landscape maintenance, arborist issues and irrigation repair needs! copyright © 2021 Horticulture Unlimited, Inc. All rights reserved. The attractive, evergreen succulent can grow to eight feet or more, in its natural enviornment. This allows the plant to spread its stems outward where they quickly take root and enable the plant to survive. Use of hand sanitizer whenever it is available. Variegated Elephant Food is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. In dry years it can produce showy tiny … Open seven days a week. First prepare your pots by filling them with potting mix, water then make a hole in the middle with your finger. Gift Pro Elephant Plant Window Boxes With Tray Set of 2 Cute Elephant Flower Pot,Modern White Ceramic Succulent Planter Pots / Tiny Flower Plant Containers (Style 2) … The roots aren't deep, so plant Elephant's Foot in a shallow pot, filled with a porous, well-drained potting soil. We obtain necessary materials for installation purposes only, and recommend consulting a nursery or supplier for direct purchasing needs. People know it as Miniature Jade, Elephant’s Food, and Spekboom in its native habitat in South Africa. The attractive, evergreen succulent can grow to eight feet or more, in its natural enviornment. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, the elephant foot yam or whitespot giant arum, is a tropical tuber crop grown primarily in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the tropical Pacific islands. They now look like too much sun, but this has never been a problem. The leaves of these plants are edible and have a tart flavor. Elephant Food is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. It is well adapted to heat, sun and drought, but is … The elephant jade plant is a favorite food source for elephants in southern Africa. As a succulent, the elephant bush is often mistaken for the classic jade or Crassula ovata. These succulents commonly have a reddish stem and leaves that are green, but also a variegated cultivar is often seen in cultivation. Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs. You may have heard this plant called by other names such as Elephant Bush, Elephant Food, Dwarf Jade Plant, Baby Jade Plant or Porkbush. They serve as food for elephants and other wildlife in their native habitat and can grow up to 20 feet tall. This plant’s segmented stems are bright red to reddish-brown; beautifully contrasting its rounded, fleshy, lime-green leaves. It easily adapts to heavy pruning, however, and can be kept in containers as a bonsai or specimen plant, grown as a groundcover, and manicured into interesting architectural shapes. There is a variegated variety with a mixture of cream and green foliage. Favorite Add to Portulacaria Afra Rare Succulent Live Plant LilyParadiseFlowers. If left to its own devices, Elephant’s Food develops a quirky, irregular form. It produces pink, star-shaped flowers in late winter to early spring, but rarely blooms the southwest desert. Occasional water, especially during the hot, dry summer. Elephant food looks like Jade Plant with smaller more compact leaves. It is easily grown as a seasonal accent plant or low maintenance houseplant in our part of the world. All staff members are currently wearing face masks while in trucks, in the office, and on our property. It is native to rocky slopes and dry river valleys of the eastern Cape of South Africa, and north into KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, Mpumalanga, and the Limpopo Province. Horticulture Unlimited is here to help you. Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush,” “Elephant Food,” “Dwarf Jade” Live Plant PlantsOnPlants. Bright light and neglect are the key. Frequent & thorough hand washing by all staff. This plant's a favored pachyderm snack. Growing Conditions and General Care In most climates, Elephant's Foot are grown as indoor plants, and the plant is relatively easy to grow from seed. This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and can be pruned at anytime. Enter the username or e-mail you used in your profile. Any staff with remote work capabilities are working from home. In its native habitat, … Variegated Elephant Food is a very unique succulent shrub that has many landscape uses. From shop LilyParadiseFlowers. Portulacaria afra, commonly known as Elephant Bush, is a popular succulent native to South Africa.It grows up 3 feet (90 cm) tall with a spread of 4 feet (1.2 m). Set of 3 Poly Resin Elephant Shaped Pot Feet or Planter Risers (Large Size Elephant Shape Each Measures 3.75 inches Long,2.5 inches Tall) 4.3 out of 5 stars 236 $19.77 $ 19 . Other names of Portulacaria Afra include porkbush and spekboom. Desert Horizon Nursery is locally owned and operated. Cleaning & sanitizing of commonly touched areas of our facility on a daily (or more frequent) basis. 77 $25.99 $25.99 This plant likes full sun or light shade and is very is drought-resistant. Do not over-water this plant, as it will immediately defoliate. How to Take Elephant Bush Cuttings. 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