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portulacaria afra dormancy period

portulacaria afra dormancy period Shop 'Elephant bush - Portulacaria afra' Care and Info

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Description

portulacaria afra dormancy period Shop 'Elephant bush - Portulacaria afra' Care and InfoIntroducing the Elephant Bush, also known as Portulacaria afra, which is a fascinating and popular succulent garden plant native to South Africa. It belongs to the Portulacaceae family and is known for its unique appearance and easy care requirements. The elephant bush succulent gets its name from its resemblance to the foliage of an elephant's trunk. It is also commonly referred to as the dwarf jade plant, small leaf jade, miniature jade, elephant

Introducing the Elephant Bush, also known as Portulacaria afra, which is a fascinating and popular succulent garden plant native to South Africa. It belongs to the Portulacaceae family and is known for its unique appearance and easy-care requirements.

The elephant bush succulent gets its name from its resemblance to the foliage of an elephant's trunk. It is also commonly referred to as the dwarf jade plant, small leaf jade, miniature jade, elephant food, or the Spekboom. The name "Dwarf Jade Plant" comes from its small, jade-like leaves, while "Spekboom" is an Afrikaans term meaning "bacon tree" due to the plant's edible leaves that reportedly taste like bacon.


The elephant bush plant features small, round, and fleshy pale green leaves that store water, allowing your elephant bush plant to withstand drought conditions. 

The trailing stems of the elephant bush plants are thick and red-hued, which gives them a unique and appealing appearance in hanging baskets.

When grown as a houseplant, the elephant bush typically reaches a height of 1 to 3 feet.

However, if planted outdoors in its native habitat, your Portulacaria afra can grow much larger, reaching heights of up to 20 feet. The elephant bush makes for an excellent bonsai due to its unique growth pattern and ability to withstand pruning. Its thick, fleshy leaves and sturdy branches give it a robust appearance, making it an ideal succulent for shaping into intricate bonsai designs. 

The elephant bush flowers are small, star-shaped, and usually a light pink or lavender color. While the flowers are not the main attraction of this elephant bush succulent, they can add a touch of beauty when they bloom during the spring to late summer.

The elephant bush Portulacaria afra comes in various varieties, including a slow-growing variegated form Portulacaria afra variegata; a trailing growth bush Portulacaria afra prostrata; and a midstripe rainbow bush Portulacaria afra medio-picta, offers a diverse range of beauty in green spaces.

When and How to Water Your Elephant Bush

Like other drought-tolerant jade plants, your elephant bush succulent prefers a watering routine that allows the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can harm the elephant bush plant and cause root rot.

In the summer, during the growing season, you should water elephant bush succulents once or twice a month when the soil is dry. A good rule of thumb is to water this elephant plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. In the winter, during the dormant period,  you probably do not need to water them at all. 

Remember, it's always better to underwater than to overwater the elephant bush plant. This resilient Portulacaria afra plant can tolerate drought conditions better than excessive moisture. So, keep an eye on the soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Light Requirements - Where to Place Your Elephant Bush Plant

When growing the elephant bush indoors, it thrives in bright, indirect light. Place your elephant bush plant near a window where it can receive plenty of natural bright light, but make sure to avoid direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day.

If you notice the leaves turning yellow or getting scorched, it's a sign that the Portulacaria afra elephant bush is receiving too much direct sunlight. So, finding that sweet spot of bright, indirect light is key to keeping your elephant bush succulent plant happy indoors.

If you decide to grow your elephant bush outdoors, it loves basking in the full sun. Although partial shade in the afternoon is frequently preferred, these plants need at least six hours of strong light each day to survive.

This is true, especially in hotter climates where the plant may become stressed by the afternoon sun's intense heat.

Your succulents should not be placed in any areas that receive continuous, direct sunlight, as this could lead to burned foliage.

Remember, the elephant bush is a versatile succulent plant and can adapt to different light conditions. Just keep in mind that it prefers bright, indirect light indoors and full sun to partial shade outdoors.

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

Elephant succulents are very airy, porous, nutrient-rich well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5- 6.5; succulents require fast-draining soil that dries completely between waterings. Your soil must have a sandy texture and a low water-holding capacity, just like desert soil.  Ideally, you want to use our specialized succulent potting mix that contains 5 natural substrates to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your African elephant bush plant to thrive.   

When it comes to fertilizing your elephant bush plant, it only needs a small amount of fertilizer applied once a year in spring. These succulents prefer a fertilizer with lower doses of NPK, with a maximum ratio of 5-10-5 that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen.

Hardiness Zones & More 

When it comes to growing the Elephant Bush plant indoors, the Elephant Bush prefers a cozy environment with temperatures between 65°F and 75°F. It can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, but it's best to avoid extreme cold or frost. If you notice the leaves starting to shrivel or the tips turning brown, it may be a sign that the air is too dry. You can increase humidity by placing a tray of water near the plant or using a humidifier.

If you are living in USDA zones 9-11, you can grow your Elephant Bush plant outdoors year-round. These zones have mild temperatures and are less prone to frost.  

In cooler zones, it can be kept outdoors during the summer and brought in as the temperature drops. 

Elephant Bush can handle average to slightly higher humidity levels outdoors. Just make sure to provide well-draining soil to prevent waterlogged conditions, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot.

Don't worry if your succulents become too hot; they can tolerate triple-digit temperatures in the summer and prefer constant temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Wildlife - Portulacaria afra Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators

Portulacaria afra have tiny, star-shaped flowers, which bloom in clusters, and are a magnet for friendly pollinators. Bees are particularly drawn to its nectar-rich blooms, while butterflies and other beneficial insects are also frequent visitors. In areas where it thrives outdoors, hummingbirds may be attracted to the vibrant blossoms as well. 

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

According to ASPCA, the Portulacaria afra Elephant Bush is friendly to both humans and pets such as dogs and cats. This makes it a great choice for households with curious pets or small children.

How to Propagate Your Portulacaria afra

This African elephant bush is relatively easy to propagate. It can be grown from stem cuttings, which should be allowed to dry for a day or two before being planted in well-draining soil. The cuttings usually root quickly and can be grown into new, young plants.

Key Takeaways

  1. Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) is a fantastic succulent with small, jade-like leaves.
  2. Visually appealing and easy to care for, adaptable for both indoor and outdoor growth.
  3. Tolerates a wide range of warm temperatures, between 65°F and 75°F, and handles higher humidity levels.
  4. It can thrives in bright, indirect light. It is suitable for beginner and experienced plant enthusiasts alike.
  5. Often grown as a seasonal accent plant or houseplant.
  6. Order your Elephant Bush today and add something truly exceptional to your garden.

The Bottom Line

Overall, Portulacaria afra, or Elephant Bush, is a remarkable plant that combines beauty, resilience, and ecological value. Its succulent, jade-like leaves and sprawling growth make it a striking addition to both indoor and outdoor settings, while its ability to tolerate drought and thrive in poor soils underscores its low-maintenance appeal. This plant’s capacity to attract friendly pollinators such as bees and butterflies further enhances its value in promoting biodiversity. With minimal care—bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, occasional watering, and protection from frost—Portulacaria afra can flourish for years, serving as both a stunning decorative element and an eco-friendly choice for any garden or home.

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J. Ellis
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Finally, a comfortable vertical mouse for guys with large hands!
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I've been using the Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse for about 8 years now, and I love it. Any time I have to use a traditional mouse it's an uncomfortable disappointment. If you haven't used a vertical mouse yet, there are a couple things you need to know. First - this is just a normal mouse, but it's turned about 60-degrees to the right. This let's your hand rest on the mouse in the natural position your arm wants it to be in without any effort to rotate. Second - you will knock it over, repeatedly, for a few weeks. Because you're used to a mouse that's a just an inch and a half or so tall, your natural movement from keyboard to mouse is going to be interrupted by the height of the MX Vertical. In time, you will get used to this, but for a week or two, you will knock it over when moving to the mouse, and when moving back to the keyboard. Don't worry, your muscle memory will change and this will stop. Third - once you get used to using the MX Vertical, you won't want to use any other mouse. It's a dramatic change in ergonomics, and you will feel the strain your wrist and forearm are under any time you have to use a traditional mouse. There are other verticals that are also great, but as a guy with large hands, this is the best I've found. I have 4 of these now - one at my office, one at my dining room table, one at my desk, and one that travels in my backpack. I don't need all of these, but its handy having them where I need them. Another reason for this is the mouse can pair with 3 devices. I have different devices in each of these locations, so it's handy not having to re-pair when I move between locations. The MX Vertical fits my hand perfect, and all buttons are where my fingers and thumb are naturally positioned. I've dropped them, knocked them down, bumped and tossed them and they keep on working properly, so from a durability standpoint, this will last. It's easy to pair with a push of a button - working with my Windows computers, MacBook, android phone and iPad. This thing just works great! The only downside I'd mention is the coating. After a couple of years, the coating tends to migrate where you apply pressure. This is most apparent where the thumb and pinky finger rest. This doesn't cause any functional issues, and is entirely cosmetic, but just be aware that after a couple years it won't look pristine. All-in-all, this is the vertical mouse to buy if you're a guy with larger hands. Get one, get used to it, and you won't regret it.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2026
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Arthur Gomez
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Highly recommend! Best in the market bar none
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I would like to say this is the perfect mouse and probably the best mouse you could buy on the market and it doesn't even come close. You can modify the mouse however you like with a click on the app. It's truly been a life changing experience with this mouse. With that being said, the perfect mouse does have a few flaws but nothing that would make me not recommend it to anyone only just be aware of these things. 1. It's a vertical mouse, sometimes it gets in the way and your wrist will knock it over, it will happen I promise you. 2. Logitech has a Flow feature meaning you can connect the mouse to three different computers at once if need be, qyeah I'll say it again, three computers connection! Wow! Well I only use it for two computers, the Flow works flawlessly but my gripe is how it sometimes doesn't sync with my Logitech keyboard Ergo K860, unfortunately, the keyboard doesn't come with the same Flow feature meaning I have to depend on the mouse to do it and it doesn't work sometimes and I have to switch between the mouse transition button to the key board transition button which makes for a long headache sometimes. 3. Believe it or not connection is sometimes an issue, it losses Bluetooth connection often and it doesn't matter which computer I use I have the same issues at work and home so I use the dongle for straight connection. Oh wait there are issues with the dongle connection too? Say it ain't so? It is! The issue comes when you have two dongles like me, the keyboard and the mouse, and try to connect both, like I said I have two computers and Logitech will not allow for their ”universal dongle” to connect to two different computers at the same time terrible design flaw. 4. Again, this mouse is incredible but it can sometimes be a little too much incredible, I know, I know but hear me out. The mouse is flawless fast, one quick wrist jerk and that mouse pointer on the screen is jumping all over the place, it's been hard to find a happy medium with the pointer, it's either you adjust to slow it down, making it too slow, or adjust to make it fast, which is too fast, again no happy medium even though there are plenty of settings to toggle with. I believe most vertical mouse tend to be that way anyway only with this mouse you can really tell the difference and that could be a good thing or bad thing depending on your perspective, it's sometimes a bad thing for me on Excel sheets. So the final verdict is this is still the best mouse out there and worth every penny and I would still give this 10 stars if possible, it's been a wonderful experience with this mouse. Again, the negatives are not bad or to make someone not buy it and considering the other features this mouse can do I recommend anyone who works all day on a computer to buy this product I highly recommend it.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2021
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Humam
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★★★★★ 5
Excellent Ergonomic Mouse for Long Workdays
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If you spend many hours at a computer and are looking for a comfortable, high-quality mouse, I highly recommend the Logitech MX Vertical. It has made a noticeable difference in my daily comfort and productivity.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2026
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Ander Anthony
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
9.8/10, would buy again!
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I bought this mouse in Sept 2020 and it's been absolutely fantastic. Only now, 5 YEARS later, and under extremely heavy usage in both work and gaming pretty much every day, has it started to wear out and develop an issue with the left click button. Most mice don't last anywhere near that long under the same conditions but this thing was a freaking soldier! Pros: Vertical angle - this is the main reason to buy this mouse and I did notice after extended use sessions, significantly less strain on my wrist at the end of the day/night. FYI I also have a wrist wrest on my mouse pad to fully maximize this benefit. The 57 degree angle felt really good to me and didn't inhibit my usage or performance in any way. Build Quality - Solidly built to handle the needs of the most demanding power users. Battery - The battery life lasts a super long time and it warns you when its getting low, plus you can still use it while its plugged it and charging. Charging time is fast and I haven't noticed any significant drop in battery lifetime over many charge/discharge cycles. Sensor - The DPI is high enough for gaming and also variable enough that you can lower it with a single button push to allow a 'normie' to use it when needed. Doesn't require a larger initial movement to begin tracking, making very fine and intermittent adjustments possible. Scroll Wheel - Each single 'tick' of the scroll wheel is soft enough that if you need to scroll a lot you can make it go several at a time easily for faster scrolling. Also its completely silent when scrolling slowly. Coating/Materials - The rubber grip is nice and not difficult to clean with a good spray and a microfiber cloth. The glide coating on the bottom held up very well and it still slides across the pad smooth as butter. The buttons have a matte texture to them that feels premium, which held up fairly well to being worn down. Weight - Well balanced, not too heavy, not too light. It's not adjustable like some high end gaming mice but tbh it doesn't really need adjusting anyway. Bells and Whistles - The multi device sync also works flawlessly and connects to the other devices very quickly when you switch with the button on the bottom. I never got to playing around with 'Flow'. Software - Come free of any bloatware extras and doesn't appear to consume any more system resources than it needs to while running in the background. Cons: The price maybe? You could easily spend more than this on a mouse and end up with an inferior product. ~$90 every five years isn't terribly unreasonable for something that works this well for >8 hours a day every day. If you don't clean it regularly the coating can get a bit oily after a while, and you pretty much have to use a microfiber cloth as nothing else leaves it clean. Sometimes on a hot day it can leave your hand getting a bit sweaty, not because the mouse produces any heat (it doesn't) but because the grippy coating will absorb warmth from your hand and hold on to it for a bit. Maybe the texture on the main buttons could be a little more wear resistant. Eventually I wore off a small fingerpad sized spot on the left click button and that super smooth bit of plastic ends up feeling kind of oily even though its clean. Final thoughts: 9.8/10, would buy again. The only thing I really wish this had was the ability to adjust the vertical angle. After some very long use sessions being able to switch to a slightly shallower angle would help to reduce the eventual strain even further. And if we're shooting for the moon here, I'd love it if you could swap out the outer body to a ventilated/open style body like GravaStar's mice to keep your hand from ever getting sweaty.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2025
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Chelsea, US
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