Sun: full sun to partial shade
Water: Typical water needs for a succulent
Temperature: Zone 10a from 30° F to 35° F (-1.1 ° C to 1.7° C)
Winter Survival: Not cold hardy
Propagation: cuttings
Flower: in the Spring and early Summer
Flower Type: coral_colored
Toxic: Generally non-toxic to humans and animals
Dormant: summer
Space Requirement: Indoors & Outdoors
Common Problems: Plants may rot if overwatered, pests
Basc Care for Portulacaria afra
Watering
You can water your succulent more than often in extreme conditions but make sure that the soil is completely dry before watering your succulent again.
One simple tip for you is that you can use some online apps to check the soil status before you go water your succulents. I would recommend the ThePlantsCheck app, it has some nice features there.
Fertilizing
Only feed this succulent during its active growing seasons which means spring and fall. Use the right fertilizer applied in the right amounts. Applying half-strength balanced fertilizer every month or so is recommended for optimal results.
Do not fertilize during summer as the plant is dormant.
Sun & Location Requirements for "Elephant Bush, Elephant Food, Dwarf Jade"
Portulacaria afra does best when placed in an area that receives full sun to partial shade throughout the day. This variety of succulents can tolerate direct sunlight for short periods, but if the temperatures get too high or the light is too intense it may be beneficial to find a shadier spot.
As per this succulent profile, it is only able to stay healthy when the environment temperature is above the range of zone 10a from 30° F to 35° F (-1.1 ° C to 1.7° C).
Portulacaria afra is not cold hardy and does not survive in freezing conditions. However, there are certain strategies that can be used to help the plant thrive despite the chill of winter. Proper drainage and insulation are essential for succulent X during periods of extreme cold. Placing a layer of mulch or gravel on the soil around the plant can also help keep it warm.
Any succulents in the group will need a medium space to grow. You can place your pot at your table or window. Since this plant needs more space than mini succulents, you should consider do not plant them together with other succulents/plants.
Propagation
One way to propagate Portulacaria afra is by cutting
Toxicity
Portulacaria afra is not known to pose any significant health risks, as it is not considered to be toxic. However, it is best to keep the plant away from young children and pets, as they may ingest some of the parts of this plant that could contain toxins which can cause mild skin irritation.
Pests and Diseases
Portulacaria afra can be affected common pests and diseases like most of the other succulents such as mealybugs.
If you do spot any of pest signs, you can treat your succulent using below methods.
- Mealybugs: quarantine, clean infected plants, soapy water.
Besides that, to prevent serious health issues from happening, keep your succulent in a well-ventilated area and check it regularly for any signs of pests or health problems.
