Name: Portulacaria afra f. variegata
Brand: Surreal Succulents
SKU: B602-afra
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)

Portulacaria afra f. variegata

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Most of our plants are shipped bare-root. Please note that the plant you receive may not be an exact likeness of the images shown.

Also known as Portulacaria afra f. variegata.

This very interesting succulent Crassula afra f. variegata or more commonly known as the elephant bush.
This variety is used extensively as a succulent shrub in California due to the size it grows to, a size of 2 to 3 feet in height and a spread of up to 10 feet in ideal conditions. Landscapers love to use it as it creates an amazing ground cover that suppresses weeds and survives extremely hot and dry conditions.

It's an incredibly easy plant to grow, especially indoors, as they respond well to little care. To keep them compact, keep them in a small pot and prune once a year. Protect from frosts.

Also known as:

Elephant Bush
Rainbow Elephant Bush
Dwarf Jade
Pork Bush
Portulacaria afra variegata

Where it thrives

Sunlight Full Sun 5+ hrs of sun

Recommended location In the Ground

Recommended location Rockery

Recommended location Outdoor Tabletop

Plant characteristics

Growability Beginner

Growth rate Moderate

Minimum temperature -2°C

Mature size, height and width 50 cm x 50 cm

Foliage colour Red, Green, and White

On Arrival

Portulacaria afra f. variegata is delivered bare-root and will need time to establish in its new pot. Unpack it carefully, remove all protective material and check that the leaves, stems and roots have arrived in good condition. Handle compact and stacked forms gently because individual leaves and brittle stems can mark or snap.

Plant Portulacaria afra f. variegata in fresh, free-draining compost and spread the roots naturally rather than folding or forcing them into the pot. For taller or branching forms, bury a suitable section of healthy bare stem in the compost for the best start. This will anchor Portulacaria afra f. variegata securely in its pot and encourage stronger root development. Crassulas tolerate having part of a bare stem buried, but keep every leaf and growing point above the compost surface. Compact forms without exposed stem should remain at their previous planting depth. Tap the pot lightly on the potting bench several times to settle the mixture without compressing it heavily.

Wait five to seven days before watering. This resting period allows small root and stem injuries caused during lifting and transport to dry, reducing the risk of rot. After this, water lightly while the roots establish. Begin using the full 3 D's method once the plant is firmly rooted and showing healthy new growth.

Keep Portulacaria afra f. variegata in a bright, sheltered and airy position during establishment. Protect it from intense midday sunshine for the first week, then introduce it gradually to its recommended light conditions. A small amount of lower-leaf softness is normal while the root system recovers, but the main stems and growing points should remain firm.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Watering

Water Portulacaria afra f. variegata thoroughly, making sure the entire root area is moistened and water runs freely from the drainage holes. Allow the compost to dry before watering again. Follow our 3 D's method: drench, drain and dry.

Check the compost and the weight of the pot rather than watering to a fixed timetable. A small terracotta pot in bright, warm conditions can dry quickly, while a large, glazed or densely planted container remains damp for much longer. Little and often is not suitable because it encourages a shallow root system and leaves deeper compost unevenly moistened.

Most Crassulas use more water while they are producing healthy new growth during the brighter months. Water in the morning so excess moisture can drain before temperatures fall overnight. Do not leave the pot standing in a saucer of water.

Reduce watering considerably through cold, dull weather. Thick Crassula leaves and stems store moisture well, so a healthy plant tolerates a dry period more safely than repeatedly wet winter compost. Water only when the compost has dried and the leaves begin to lose some firmness.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Light and position

Provide Portulacaria afra f. variegata with Full Sun - 5+ Hours of Sun. Suitable positions can include In the Ground, Rockery, and Outdoor Tabletop. Crassulas need strong natural light to maintain compact stems, evenly spaced leaves and their best Red, Green, and White colouring.

Avoid dark rooms and positions far from a window. Insufficient light causes long gaps between the leaves, weak leaning stems and pale growth. Rotate a pot-grown plant regularly so every side receives light and the plant does not become one-sided.

Introduce Portulacaria afra f. variegata to stronger sunshine gradually after winter, delivery or a period indoors. Sudden exposure to direct spring or summer sun can scorch foliage that has not adjusted. Increase the amount of sunshine over approximately ten days and provide temporary shade during exceptional heatwaves.

Some green and red Crassulas develop their strongest margins, tips or overall colour in bright light combined with slightly drier conditions. Variegated forms need enough light to preserve their markings but can scorch more readily where the leaves contain pale tissue.

Compost and drainage

Plant Portulacaria afra f. variegata in a fresh, free-draining mixture containing approximately one-third good-quality multi-purpose compost, one-third John Innes No. 2 and one-third horticultural grit or perlite. This mixture provides enough nutrients and structure while allowing air and water to move freely around the roots.

Always choose a pot with unrestricted drainage holes. A container without drainage gives excess water nowhere to escape and makes root rot much more likely. Terracotta is particularly useful in the cooler, humid UK climate because its porous sides allow the root area to dry more evenly.

Choose a pot only 2-4cm wider than the existing root system. An oversized container holds a large amount of unused wet compost around the roots. Taller shrub-like forms benefit from a broad, stable pot, while compact forms should remain in a container proportionate to their root ball.

Apply a thin layer of horticultural grit around the base. This keeps the lowest leaves away from damp compost, supports short stems and helps the surface remain open and airy.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural grit perlite

Feeding

Fresh compost should contain enough nutrients to support Portulacaria afra f. variegata for approximately three to six months. When repotting in spring, a five to six-month slow-release fertiliser can be mixed through the compost according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If you prefer liquid feeding, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser at half the recommended strength every two to four weeks while Portulacaria afra f. variegata is producing active new growth. Feed only when the compost is already moist, preferably shortly after watering.

Stop feeding during autumn and winter when low temperatures and weaker light slow the plant. Excess fertiliser produces soft, stretched growth and can weaken the compact structure that makes many Crassulas distinctive.

Do not overfeed in an attempt to deepen the foliage colour. Strong natural light, allowing the compost to dry and avoiding an oversized pot are more effective.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost liquid seaweed feed

Winter care

The recorded minimum temperature for Portulacaria afra f. variegata is -2°C. Crassula hardiness varies between species and cultivars, so protect the plant according to the temperature recorded on its product page rather than assuming every Crassula has the same tolerance.

Move tender plants into a bright, airy and frost-free position before conditions fall below their recorded minimum. A greenhouse, conservatory or bright, cool windowsill is suitable. Temperatures of approximately 7-13 degrees Celsius help most tender succulents remain compact without encouraging unnatural winter growth.

Give Portulacaria afra f. variegata the brightest position available during the shorter days. Avoid placing it directly above a radiator because warm conditions combined with weak light encourage stretching and can dry the foliage while the deeper compost remains wet.

Keep the compost mostly dry and maintain airflow around dense stems and leaf joints. Use horticultural fleece for short cold spells where necessary, draping it loosely so it does not press against brittle growth.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural fleece

Summer care

Spring and summer usually provide the strongest growing conditions for Portulacaria afra f. variegata. As natural light and temperatures increase, check the compost regularly and water thoroughly whenever it has dried.

Many Crassulas can be grown outdoors after the risk of frost has passed. Introduce the plant gradually to direct sun, wind and rainfall rather than moving it immediately from an indoor windowsill into an exposed position.

Ventilate greenhouses and conservatories during hot weather. Crassulas tolerate warmth well when their roots are healthy, but intense heat trapped behind glass can scorch leaves and slow root activity. Provide temporary afternoon shade during exceptional heatwaves.

Strong light can deepen red, bronze and purple colouring. If Portulacaria afra f. variegata becomes washed out or develops long, soft growth, review its light, watering and feeding rather than automatically adding more fertiliser.

Some Crassulas produce clusters of small star-shaped flowers. Leave the flowers for their full display, then remove the dried stems using clean snips if a tidier plant is preferred.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Repotting

Repot Portulacaria afra f. variegata during spring when roots escape through the drainage holes, the plant becomes unstable, water no longer absorbs evenly or the compost has lost its open structure. Compact forms do not need repotting simply because their leaves have reached the pot edge.

Allow the old compost to dry, then ease the plant from its container while supporting the base of its stems. Do not pull it by brittle branches or tightly stacked leaves. Remove as much old compost as possible and inspect the roots.

Healthy roots should feel firm and appear pale tan or white. Remove brown, hollow or soft roots with clean snips, then allow fresh cuts to dry. Replace the old compost with a fresh, free-draining mixture and choose a pot only one or two sizes larger.

Keep Portulacaria afra f. variegata at its previous depth. Burying healthy lower leaves or tightly packed stems can trap moisture and encourage rot. Tap the pot gently to settle compost around the roots without compressing it heavily.

Wait at least three to five days before watering a repotted plant. Keep it in bright, sheltered conditions while the roots recover.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Common problems

Long gaps between the leaves, weak stems and pale growth usually mean Portulacaria afra f. variegata needs more light. Move it gradually into a brighter position and rotate the pot regularly. Existing stretched growth will remain, but the new growth should become more compact.

Soft translucent leaves, darkening at the base of the stem or sudden collapse commonly indicate excess moisture. Remove the plant from wet compost, cut away rotten roots and stems, then allow healthy material to dry before repotting or taking rescue cuttings.

Wrinkled leaves can indicate genuine thirst, but they can also appear when damaged roots are unable to absorb water. Check the compost and root condition before repeatedly watering a plant that does not recover.

Dry pale patches can result from sudden sun exposure. Introduce direct light gradually, particularly after winter. Variegated and finely textured forms may need protection from intense afternoon sunshine.

Check leaf joints, tightly stacked stems and the root area for white cotton-like mealybug, which shelters in the axils where leaves meet the stem. Isolate an affected plant and treat it promptly. Remove fully dry leaves around dense growth so they do not provide shelter for pests.

A dusty white coating, or brown and corky spots and blemishes on the leaves, points to powdery mildew or fungal leaf-spot. These take hold when foliage stays wet in still, humid, overcrowded conditions. Improve airflow, keep water off the leaves, ease back on watering and thin congested growth; badly marked leaves can be removed to slow the spread.

Older lower leaves naturally dry and fall as shrub-like Crassulas mature and develop woody stems. This is normal when the upper growth remains firm and healthy.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

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Portulacaria afra f. variegata

Where it thrives

How to care for Portulacaria afra f. variegata

Plant characteristics

On Arrival

Watering

Light and position

Compost and drainage

Feeding

Winter care

Summer care

Repotting

Common problems

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Portulacaria afra f. variegata

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