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The Copper Bough

Elephant Bush

Portulacaria afra

Small rounded leaves and reddish young stems create a fine, branching silhouette. Give elephant bush bright light, free drainage and attentive seasonal watering.

Explore the care guide
Botanical illustration

Care at a glance

Light

Bright indirect light; introduce stronger outdoor light gradually. [8]

Watering

Let the upper inch of mix dry during active growth; drain after watering. [9]

Know your plant

Elephant bush is Portulacaria afra, a succulent shrub in the Didiereaceae family. Its small fleshy leaves grow in opposite pairs on reddish young stems. [2][8]

Also called dwarf jade or spekboom, this plant has finer stems and smaller leaves than Crassula ovata. The branching habit suits a container display and responds well to tip pruning. [9]

Light and placement

Give elephant bush bright indirect light indoors. Introduce stronger outdoor light gradually when moving it outside. [8]

Begin an outdoor move in a sheltered bright position and increase sun exposure in stages. Gradual acclimation protects foliage from scorch. [9]

Watering

  1. During active growth, check the upper inch of potting mix and let that layer dry before the next thorough watering. [9]

  2. Let excess water drain fully and empty the saucer or outer pot. Keep the root ball aerated in a freely draining mix. [7]

  3. Reduce watering substantially as light and growth decline. Continue checking the mix and foliage through the cooler season. [8]

Soil and pot choice

Use very free-draining cactus or succulent compost. Choose a container with open drainage holes and let excess water escape. [8]

Keep a container proportionate to the root ball. A modest size increase when potting up reduces the surplus wet mix around the roots. [7]

Temperature and humidity

Protect elephant bush from cold. Bring seasonal outdoor pots inside before nighttime temperatures fall below 40°F / about 4°C. [9]

Ordinary dry indoor air suits succulent growing. Give the plant ventilation and keep its watering matched to light and growth. [7]

Feeding

Feed container-grown elephant bush approximately monthly during active growth. Use a fertilizer suited to potted plants and follow its directions. [9]

Reduce feeding when growth slows. Resume alongside renewed growth and brighter seasonal conditions. [7]

Repotting

  1. Repot when roots fill the container or emerge through drainage holes. Spring is a suitable time to refresh the root space. [9]

  2. Choose a slightly larger draining pot and fresh succulent compost. Keep the plant supported while settling mix around the root ball. [5]

Propagation

  1. Take healthy stem cuttings in spring or summer. Let the cut ends dry and callus before inserting them into freely draining medium. [9]

  2. Keep cuttings warm in bright indirect light. Maintain only slight moisture in the rooting medium and avoid saturation. [7]

Pruning and growth

Pinch growing tips or cut just above a pair of leaves to shape branching. Trim selected stems to keep the silhouette balanced. [9]

Allow the plant to develop a loose branching outline, or use gentle shaping for a compact container display. Routine heavy pruning is optional. [8]

Problems and checks

Soft yellowing leaves or stems

Possible causes
  • Excessive moisture or impaired drainage.
Checks to distinguish them
  • Check for damp mix and water trapped in the outer pot.
Low-risk next step
Empty trapped water, clear the drain and let the mix dry appropriately.
When to seek expert help
Seek horticultural help for a collapsing stem or dark, soft roots.
Sources for these checks

Persistently wet succulent roots can rot, and overwatering can lead to leaf loss. [6]

Shrivelled foliage

Possible causes
  • A dry root ball or roots damaged by prolonged moisture.
Checks to distinguish them
  • Compare the moisture in the mix with the condition of stems and visible roots.
Low-risk next step
Water a dry, firm-rooted plant thoroughly and drain it. Correct wet conditions before adding more water.
When to seek expert help
Seek help if shrivelling continues with damp mix or a soft stem.
Sources for these checks

Underwatering and damaged roots can both leave succulent foliage shrivelled. [6]

Long, weak growth

Possible causes
  • Insufficient light.
Checks to distinguish them
  • Look at the length of new stems and the brightness of the growing position.
Low-risk next step
Move toward brighter light in stages.
When to seek expert help
Ask a horticulturist if new growth remains weak after improving the light.
Sources for these checks

Insufficient light leads to weak succulent growth. [7]

Pale or brown patches after a move

Possible causes
  • Abrupt exposure to stronger sun.
Checks to distinguish them
  • Compare the affected side with the recent change in placement.
Low-risk next step
Return to gentler light and acclimate in stages.
When to seek expert help
Seek help for spreading damage without a change in sun exposure.
Sources for these checks

Succulent foliage can scorch after a sudden increase in sunlight. [6]

Cottony clusters or fixed bumps

Possible causes
  • Mealybugs or scale insects.
Checks to distinguish them
  • Inspect leaf joints, stems and leaf undersides closely.
Low-risk next step
Separate the plant and remove visible pests carefully. Choose further treatment with horticultural advice.
When to seek expert help
Ask for pest identification if the infestation spreads or repeatedly returns.
Sources for these checks

Mealybugs and scale can affect elephant bush. [8][9]

Seasonal indoor care

Match watering and feeding to active growth. Give the pot a drier, quieter routine as seasonal light and growth decline. [8]

Move a summer outdoor plant through gradually brighter positions. Return it indoors before cold nights, placing it in a bright spot. [8]

Children and pets

Safety

Keep elephant bush, fallen leaves and cuttings beyond pets that chew plants. Eating plant material can upset a pet’s stomach. [10]

After suspected ingestion or signs of illness, contact your veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435. Provide the plant’s botanical name. [11]

Keep the plant, cuttings and loose potting material beyond young children’s reach. Display it as an ornamental plant and keep plant material away from food and drinks. [12]

For a human plant ingestion in the United States, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use webPOISONCONTROL. Elsewhere, contact your local poison service. [13]

Similar plants

Classic jade has oval leaves; Gollum has tubular leaves. Both are Crassula ovata. [3][4]

Jade and elephant bush belong to different genera: Crassula and Portulacaria. Keep the botanical name with each plant. [1][2]

Sources

  1. Crassula ovata (Mill.) Druce — Plants of the World Online

    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  2. Portulacaria afra Jacq. — Plants of the World Online

    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  3. Crassula ovata — jade plant

    Royal Horticultural Society

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  4. Crassula ovata Gollum — jade plant Gollum

    Royal Horticultural Society

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  5. Growing Succulents Indoors

    Iowa State University Extension and Outreach — Aaron Steil

    Accessed October 5, 2026 · Updated: Last reviewed December 2024

  6. Common Problems and Issues of Succulents

    Iowa State University Extension and Outreach — Aaron Steil

    Accessed October 5, 2026 · Updated: Last reviewed August 2023

  7. How to grow houseplant cacti and succulents

    Royal Horticultural Society

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  8. Portulacaria afra — elephant bush

    Royal Horticultural Society

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  9. Elephant Bush, Portulacaria afra

    University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension — Susan Mahr

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  10. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — plant precautions

    ASPCA Poison Control

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  11. ASPCA Poison Control

    ASPCA Poison Control

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  12. Poisonous and non-poisonous plants: An illustrated list

    National Capital Poison Center

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  13. Get help online or by phone

    National Capital Poison Center

    Accessed October 5, 2026