Scientific Name
Portulacaria afra 'Variegata'
Accepted Scientific Name
Portulacaria afra Jacq.
Common Name(s)
Rainbow Bush, Variegated Elephant Bush, Variegated Elephant Shrub, Variegated Elephant Food
Synonym(s)
Portulacaria afra f. variegata, Portulacaria afra 'Tricolor'
Scientific Classification
Family: Portulacaceae
Subfamily: Portulacarioideae
Genus: Portulacaria
Description
Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' is a slow-growing much-branched succulent shrub with attractive reddish-brown stems and glossy green leaves heavily variegated with cream. It grows up to 10 feet (3 m) tall. The branches become interwoven as the plant ages. Leaves are smooth, obovate, and up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long. Flowers are small, star-shaped, lavender-pink, and appear in small clusters in late spring and early summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Choose a location with indirect sunlight when growing Elephant Bush indoors. Overly bright sunlight can char the leaves and cause them to drop off. Ensure that the container you choose has wide drainage holes. The most common mistake made in succulent plants is watering. They are drought tolerant but do require watering from spring to fall. In winter, the plants are dormant, and you may suspend watering. Elephant Bush plants in the home interior should not have consistently wet feet. Make sure the pot drains well and does not leave a saucer with water sitting under the container. Fertilize in late winter to early spring with an indoor plant fertilizer diluted by half.
Like most succulents, Elephant Bush is easy to reproduce from cuttings. Take cuttings in spring or summer for the best results. Let the cutting dry out and callous for a couple of days, and then plant the cutting in damp gritty soil in a small pot.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for an Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra).
Origin
This succulent is a form of Portulacaria afra selected for its variegated foliage.
Links
- Back to genus Portulacaria
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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