What is Portulacaria afra Variegata?

What is Portulacaria afra Variegata?

This shrubby succulent has striking reddish-brown stems and light green leaves with white variegation. This shrubby succulent has striking reddish-brown stems and light green leaves with white variegation. It is also known as Elephant Bush.

Is Portulacaria afra a lucky plant?

Portulacaria Afra, native to Africa is one of the popular houseplants. Considered to be symbols of good luck, it is also called the Good Luck Jade Plant, Lucky Plant, Money Tree, Friendship Tree.

Is Portulacaria afra same as jade plant?

Portulacaria Afra, commonly known as Elephant Bush, are often mistaken for Crassula Ovata ‘Jade Plants’ because they resemble each other in a lot of ways. Although Elephant Bush closely resemble Jade Plants in appearance, they are not at all related.

What is Portulacaria afra good for?

Sucking a leaf to quench thirst, treat exhaustion, dehydration and heatstroke. Using crushed leaves to provide relief for blisters. Chewing leaves can treat a sore throat and mouth infections. Juiced leaves are used as an antiseptic and to soothe skin ailments such as pimples, rashes, insect stings and sunburn.

How do you care for Portulacaria afra Variegata?

They are drought tolerant but do require watering from April to October. In winter the plants are dormant and you may suspend watering. Elephant bush succulents in the home interior should not have consistently wet feet. Make sure the pot drains well and don’t leave a saucer with water sitting under the container.

How big do Portulacaria afra grow?

8′ to 15′ feet tall
Portulacaria afra plant prefers growing in dry, rocky slopes and outcrops. The woody reddish brown stems grow upward reaching up to be 8′ to 15′ feet tall. However, it is most likely to remain a smaller plant growing only a few feet tall.

How do you care for Portulacaria Afra Variegata?

How do you propagate Portulacaria Afra Variegata?

The best way to propagate a Portulacaria Afra is during the spring/summer time, by using stem cuttings with plump leaves. Stems should be left out to callus or dry for a few days. Place cuttings in a soil mix that is moist or provides enough moisture. Your stem cuttings will root within 1-3 weeks.

How do you grow Portulacaria afra Variegata?

The Portulacaria afra plant requires plenty of bright light and a warm environment to grow and thrive. Plant in full sun or partial shade. However, if the dwarf jade plant is moved from indoors to direct sunlight outdoors the leaves will burn and shed. This is why filtered or partially shaded bright light is ideal.

How do you take care of Portulacaria afra Variegata?

Is Portulacaria afra Variegata edible?

Interestingly enough Portulacaria afra ‘variegata’ is also edible with a sour flavor and is often grazed by elephants. Also this variegated variety specifically grows at a MUCH slower rate than the non-variegated form. But in exchange for the slower growing rate the leaves take on a much more interesting appearance.

Is Portulacaria afra indoor or outdoor?

Portulacaria afra is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 30° F (1.7° C), it’s best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. It does well in full to partial sun. Plant in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day.

How do you propagate Portulacaria afra Variegata?

Is Portulacaria afra a cactus?

A popular succulent garden plant around the world, Portulacaria afra (Elephant Bush) is a well-branched, evergreen succulent shrub or small tree with small, rounded, fleshy, emerald green leaves. They are borne on brittle, fleshy red stems and tapering branches that mature to a gray color.

How do you grow Portulacaria Afra faster?

As mentioned above, Portulacaria Afra doesn’t mind drought. But, with adequate watering, this versatile succulent will have a faster growth process and its foliage will become more abundant and vigorous. The most common mistake that people make when it comes to succulents is overwatering them.

Can elephant bush grow indoors?

A Quick Look at the Elephant Bush People also know it by its scientific name, Portulacaria afra. It can flourish in almost any climate because it is a succulent plant. It grows well both indoors and outdoors, but it’s more advisable that you cultivate it indoors.

How do you make Afra bushy Portulacaria?

To grow Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush” from cuttings, use a sterile, sharp knife or pair of scissors. Remove a stem from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before placing on well-draining soil. Water whenever the soil has dried out completely.