The first sign of this is the stem turning brown/black from the bottom. Likewise, when bringing the plant outside from indoors, avoid setting the plant in full sun right away. Indigenous to South Africa, the elephant bush (Portulacaria afra), also called elephant food and miniature jade plant, gets its name not because of what it looks like but from the fact that elephants feed on it in the wild. Diseases that affect the elephant bush the most are fungal. The leaves of the Elephant Bush are glossy green and its stems are reddish-brown. There are several practices that you’ve to carry out to … Aug 17, 2017 - Portulacaria afra - Elephant’s Food This succulent shrub/tree has small green leaves with rediish brown stems. As I mentioned above, Portulacaria Afra plants generally like fast-draining soil. How Much to Winter Prune Large Sage Bushes? I try to choose a pot that is just the right size for my succulents with a few inches extra for them to grow. Some plants have ornamental … Also, make sure that you don’t completely dry out the soil so that the plant is left starving for moisture. Cut back the yellow leaves and wait for it to return next spring. Indeed. In a few weeks’ time, you will see new growth and new roots develop. Use a balanced fertilizer no more than twice a summer. She has written articles on a number of topics including home improvement, pet care, health and physiology. Dew Drops Plant Leaves Herbs Plants Food Meal Eten Herb Meals. Great as a bonsai. Intense light can scorch the leaves and cause them to drop from the plant. To be on the safe side, I use cactus mix combined with perlite or a very porous mix like cactus jack. I too have an elephant food plant and have learned from Q&A;s that I have been over watering (dropping leaves). This is because the Alocasia Plant stalk is constantly expanding. You become confused and start doing either of these two things: You either start watering your plant more because the leaves have shriveled and fallen off, or you withhold watering because the leaves have fallen off and the plant looks too wet. How to Care for All Elephant Ear Plant Types. The best mixture for this type of plant is cactus soil or potting soil cut by half with sand, vermiculite or pumice. What are some of the common problems with Portulacaria Afra plants? Thanks for visiting and as always, happy gardening! Its leaves and stems are similar in appearance to those of the ..… This plant’s segmented stems are bright red to reddish-brown; beautifully contrasting its rounded, fleshy, lime-green leaves. Some can be kept as perennials in warmer climates and will grow back every spring on their own, while others should be planted from tubers amid warmer spring climates. One stand of porkbush will absorb more carbon than a small forest, according to PlantZAfrica. I’ve had this plant for 11 years and it’s never done this. Elephant trees (Bursera fagaroides) stand out with their stout trunks, peeling bark and dark green leaves, which emit a citrusy fragrance when handled. P ortulacaria afra, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is a perennial succulent found in South Africa. Some of the top branches did freeze this year (Scottsdale, Az), but I just cut them off and the plant seemed to be doing fine. I do this by removing the plant from the soil and letting it dry completely for about a week or two in a shaded area away from direct sunlight. Overall height is medium to small. They have reddish-brown stems with glossy green leaves. Depending on the climate in your region, you can successfully grow elephant ear plant indoors or outdoors. Move it to a windowsill or the brightest spot in the house. Product Description. Check out these links for related topics: Portulacaria Afra-Elephant Bush Care, Types and Propagation, Easiest Way to Propagate Succulents: by Stem Cuttings. If planted outdoors, it grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11. Not enough sunlight plus a constantly wet plant is a recipe for disaster for these plants so make sure you choose the brightest spot in the house. The most common problem people have with this plant is dropped leaves. ? Keep it inside in the winter, protect it from drafts, and never put it too close to an air conditioning unit. Most likely, the plant has been sitting in the wrong soil which either makes it retain too much water, or not enough water. Hold back on watering until the plant is dry. How to Take Elephant Bush Cuttings. The plant also thrives in a humid atmosphere, so if you keep it indoors, it's best to set it next to a humidifier [source: Lars]. Either the soil is too fast draining or it’s the wrong material for the plant. Spekboom. To be on the safe side, I like using cactus mix combined with perlite. Hailing from South Africa, these plants are generally not frost-tolerant. • Fertilize your elephant ears plant with a general indoor plant fertilizer at half strength 1 x per month. May 19, 2012 - This Pin was discovered by LueAnne Adams. If you find your Portulacaria Afra dropping leaves from sudden changes in the environment, give the plant some time to adjust. Not enough water causes the leaves to dry up and sometimes drop off. Elephant ear plants, also known as alocasia and colocasia, are tropical plants that can live outdoors all year long, although their impressive leaves will die in the colder, winter temperatures. Cactus and Succulent Society of America: Diseases, Pests and Controls, My Lemon Lime Dracaena Is Yellow With Droopy Leaves. The plant starts as a tiny bush and can reach 8-15 feet (2.5-4.5 meters). You can start with morning sun and gradually increase the intensity to minimize shock and avoid burning the plant. Other problems with Elephant Bush include leaf dropping and leaf yellowing. The plant needs approximately four hours or more of sunlight a day to be happy. You can check the soil first to see if it is dry before watering. The bright green leaves are offset nicely with the reddish stems of the plant. To save a plant that has been overwatered, re-pot it after removing any rotten roots. Ideal daytime temperatures for the elephant bush are 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and ideal nighttime temperatures for it are 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also use an all-purpose potting soil (which is a cheaper alternative) and combine it with perlite. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. If possible, give the plant some outdoor time during warmer months and the plant will love the sun. Originally from Africa, it is extremely drought, heat, and sun tolerant, while also accepting more moisture than our desert succulents. Elephants eat parts of the plant, and spit out the leaves and seeds, which help to propagate the plant. A quick solution to this is to give the plant a good drink of water. Like any other succulent, it has its problems, including leaf drop. You bring the plant home and start caring for it. First prepare your pots by filling them with potting mix, water then make a hole in the middle with your finger. That’s why I tend to leave my succulents on the dry side. Also known as Elephant Ear Plants or Arbi Leaf in Hindi - 2C5GWND from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. They are winter-hardy only in the 8-11 hardiness zone. There is a variegated variety with a mixture of cream and green foliage. I believe it’s easier to fix an underwatered succulent than an overwatered one. Elephant ears plants are generally pretty easy to care for as long as you know what they need. As the Alocasia Plant stalk expands it forces the smaller leaves to drop off. Elephant food looks like Jade Plant with smaller more compact leaves. If you want to save some healthy leaves to propagate, it can be done but you need to be patient as it takes a long time. While it’s true that Portulacaria Afras are easy-going plants, you can still run into problems when caring for them. Bright light and neglect are the key. The plant cuts off the nutrients to the weakest leaves to preserve them for new growth. Portulacaria afra (known as elephant bush, dwarf jade plant, porkbush and spekboom in Afrikaans) is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa. Jade Plant Overwatering Symptoms: The symptoms of overwatering a Jade Plant are yellowing leaves, leaf drop, soft leaves and dry leaves. Also, it's a succulent, it can handle not being watered as often as other bonsai but you should be using the "chopstick in the dirt" trick to tell when it's time. Pruning shears, or scissors can bruise the stem, causing delayed healing. The most common reason for dropped leaves in Portulacaria Afra is watering issues. Maybe your soil is not draining fast enough and it is too wet for your elephant bush or it is draining fast. Avoid placing the elephant bush near a heating or air conditioning vent to prevent it from getting too dry. However, just like any other plant, begonia might develop problems such as dropping leaves. Move it to a windowsill or the brightest spot in the house. This site is owned and operated by LeadCamp, Inc. LeadCamp, Inc is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Transplant the plant in a suitable potting mix. You shouldn’t have any doubt in your mind that it’s leaf spot disease and not anything else. Maybe your elephant food is not getting enough nutrients due to fast draining. Here are some, How to Prevent Aeoniums From Dying After Flowering, 7 Tips To Keep String of Pearls Alive and Thriving. Partial sun to full sun is well tolerated by this plant. Take a tip cutting, 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, of your Elephant Bush with a clean, sterilized razor blade. You can still save the plant by saving the viable parts of the plant. When bringing the plant indoors from outside, acclimate the plant indoors by providing as much sunlight indoors as possible, especially if the plant is used to full sun. If left to its own devices, Elephant’s Food develops a quirky, irregular form. When bringing the plant indoors for the winter, the plant might go through a period of adjustment and start dropping leaves, especially if the change in environment is drastic. Dry the stem cuttings for about a week or longer and stick the cuttings in soil. As the plant matures, its soft-wooded stems get thicker. This usually happens when the plant has been overwatered and/or the soil medium does not dry out fast enough, or both. Oh, yes: Elephant food? The leaves of the plant absorb pollutants in the air as well as carbon dioxide leaving your house smelling fresh and clean. If the location is not working out for your plant, move it to a brighter location. The Elephant Bush is a versatile plant that thrives in many different climates, so growing and propagating it is quite easy. Leaf drop may also occur if the soil does not have proper nutrients or drainage qualities. Why are the leaves falling off your Portulacaria Afra? Likewise, when bringing the plant outside from indoors, avoid setting the plant in full sun right away. A plant with constant ‘wet feet’ that does not get enough sunlight rots faster as the plant is not given a chance to dry out. Overwatering is the primary cause of failure in elephant bushes because it robs the plants of oxygen and invites fungal rot disease. Click. Other pests can include spider mites, mealybugs and fungus gnat larvae. Leaves and shape of Portulacaria Afra Variegata“dwarf jade plant” Elephant jade plant has thick, dark green leaves and very delicate star-shaped pink flowers, the trunk and branches have woody inner tissues.. We can simply say that elephant’s food has brownish-red stem sprouting with small, glossy green leaves. Prepare the Pots. If you must grow your plant indoors, make sure to find the brightest spot in the house. Thinning would involve a few leaves or branches dying off at a time. As far as succulents go, the adorable and majestic elephant bush is more than just a plant you grow for its good looks. The plant may be able to survive freezing temperatures for short periods of time, as long as they get enough warmth or sunlight during the day. After the plant has been allowed to dry and recover from the wet environment, replant in fresh potting soil. Elephant bush plants (Portulacaria) thrive in USDA zones 10 and 11.Although large Portulacaria afra bushes can survive … Or if you do not like to mix materials you can use a very porous material like cactus jack. Due to plenty of mishaps I’ve encountered with my plants over the years, my answer to this question is almost always yes. Elephants do eat the plant, leaving the lower, spreading branches and a lot of broken twigs as they strip the branches of the leaves, which later root to expand and thicken the colony, creating new thickets known as “spekboomvelds”. The right amounts of moisture, nutrients, and light are key to keeping your elephant ear plant happy. Plant Food and Soil. Take the Cuttings. Click here to find some of these materials online. Humidifiers may be used during the winter to maintain humidity levels. What’s happening? The thick branching gives even young plants a venerable look. Elephant ear plants are fairly easy to grow once they’re established. I hope you found this article useful. They now look like too much sun, but this has never been a problem. Because the leaves on Portulacaria afra are so thin, it can handle more frequent waterings than other succulents. If you move your plant from a cooler area to a much warmer area or vice versa, the plant may react in the same way and begin dropping leaves. The elephant bush, native to Africa, is so named because elephants love to eat it. And from experience, the easiest and quickest way to save the plant is to remove it from the pot, let it dry and recover for about a week or so, and transplant it into a brand new potting mix. Cut the elephant bush stem 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10cm) from the end at an angle. The plant might be going through shock and it will take some time for it to adjust. I understand your situation that Elephant Ears won't survive the winter there if left in the ground. As the name “Elephant Food” suggests, this succulent is eaten by elephants, but feeds goats and tortoises as well. If you find that the plant is not receiving adequate light, move it closer to the window where it can get more sun exposure. This is the most comprehensive article I could find about elephant food. I believe these plants are happier outdoors than indoors, so give them some outdoor time during the warmer months to keep them happy. How to Care for an Elephant Tree Plant. Indigenous to South Africa, the elephant bush (Portulacaria afra), also called elephant food and miniature jade plant, gets its name not because of what it looks like but from the fact that elephants feed on it in the wild. LeadCamp, Inc is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Can take any exposure but prefers sun. Click here to find these online. I saw advice to use a "succulent" mix soil rather than regular potting soil. The bottom leaves usually go first, but leaves can drop from anywhere along the stem. This plant finds its place in various ways as it can be used in making terrariums, dish gardening, Miniature gardening, Fairy gardens and last but not the least it finds its place in a hanging planter keeping its spectacular spilling capability in mind. Download this stock image: Blaetter - leaves plant plants portulacaceae africa african elephant bush elephant bushes pork bush elephants food - X8291R from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. Place variegated elephant bush in indirect sunlight. Portulacaria Afra a.k.a Elephant Bush a.k.a Miniature Jade. From my experience with this plant or other succulents, you can save a dying plant by repotting it in more suitable soil and the right size pot. It is much more versatile, being able to withstand summer sun as well as living in shade. Otherwise known as Portulacaria afra, the elephant bush has thick purple stems with dainty lobe like leaves. If the plant is dying, that means it’s starting to rot or shrivel and look really sick, or a combination of both. A grow light may help supplement the sunlight that the plant needs. Let the soil dry between waterings, usually four to five days. The foliage of Portulacaria Afra is used as food in some native cultures. What I like to do when I get a brand new plant from the store (it doesn’t matter from what store, it could be from the hardware store, grocery store or even from a fancy florist) is to repot the plant. A portulacaria afra that is too wet will look sickly and drop leaves. Or you may even go back and forth between the two. You can also use an all-purpose potting soil (which is a cheaper alternative) and combine it with perlite, or a combination of these three materials I mentioned. Elephant ear foliage dies back throughout the year, but winter is a good time to tidy plants. Choose a location with indirect sunlight when growing elephant bush indoors. Discover (and save!) Portulacaria afra is an incredible “carbon sponge,” absorbing high levels of carbon from the air.