Elephant's food
Portulacaria afra · Didiereaceae
📷 Dinkum · CC0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around elephant's food and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, succulent and tender green
- Flowering
- Summer, small pink or white flowers
- Adult size
- 0.5 to 2 m tall depending on age and environment
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender (10-12 °C minimum)
- Origin
- South Africa and Namibia
- Soil type
- Well-draining, light and mineral
Expert tips
The key tip
Arrose légèrement une fois par semaine en été, puis quasi rien en hiver—cette plante stocke l'eau dans ses tiges. L'erreur classique est de penser qu'elle a soif parce qu'elle est petite : elle préfère largement la sécheresse. Pose-la en lumière vive, idéalement à la fenêtre sud ou sur un rebord ensoleillé.
The common mistake
La plupart des jardiniers la tuent en l'arrosant trop régulièrement, surtout en automne-hiver quand elle dort. Elle meurt d'excès d'eau beaucoup plus souvent que de sécheresse.
The pro's trick
Pince les jeunes tiges régulièrement (dès qu'elles font 10 cm) pour obtenir une ramification dense et touffue au lieu d'un squelette dégingandé. Chaque pinçage donne deux branches, tu le verras en deux semaines.
Seasonal watch
En novembre-décembre, elle entre en dormance progressive : réduis drastiquement l'arrosage et évite les températures sous 10°C, sinon elle chute ses feuilles et peut ne pas redémarrer au printemps. C'est le moment où tu dois vraiment la « négliger ».
Care
Watering
Water generously in summer but let the soil dry out completely between waterings. In winter, reduce watering drastically: it enters dormancy and fears waterlogging. Adjust according to ambient humidity; it prefers being too dry rather than too wet.
Light exposure
Place it in full sun to obtain intense colors and compact growth. It tolerates partial shade but may become leggy. Indoors, position it near a bright window facing south or west.
Soil and substrate
Use a very well-draining mix: cactus and succulent soil with added perlite or pumice. Ensure the pot has a drainage hole. Change the substrate every 2-3 years to prevent compaction.
Pruning and shaping
Pinch young stems to encourage branching and obtain a compact, bushy shape. Prune lightly after flowering or in early spring. It heals well and tolerates cutting without any issues.
Fertilizing
Enrich it with diluted succulent plant fertilizer every month during the growing season (April to September). Avoid excess nitrogen which would promote soft, less resilient foliage.
Diseases and pests
It is generally robust but dreads root rot caused by excess moisture. Inspect regularly to detect mealybugs. Ensure good air circulation around it and respect its winter dormancy cycle.
Did you know?
The tree portulaca is also called 'African jade tree' and became famous in bonsai thanks to its great adaptability and beautiful natural branching. Its fleshy leaves accumulate water, allowing it to survive long periods of drought in semi-arid African environments.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
- BoxwoodBuxus sempervirens
- Pedunculate oakQuercus robur
- GrapevineVitis vinifera
- SageSalvia officinalis
- Fig treeFicus carica
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.