Photo: Dinkum · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Elephant Bush
Portulacaria afra
Tiny round jade-like leaves on red stems. A fast, forgiving succulent for dry open setups — an easier alternative to a jade plant.
- Terrarium type
- Open
- Terrarium size
- Small
- Light
- Bright / some direct
- Care level
- Easy
- Growth habit
- Upright
- Pet safety
- Non-toxic to pets
Growing Elephant Bush in a terrarium
Where to place it
A fast, forgiving succulent for a bright, open spot with some direct sun. Its tiny jade-like leaves on red stems make it an easier stand-in for a jade plant.
Watering & humidity
Water only when the substrate has dried out — it stores water in its leaves and shrugs off drought. Keep it dry and open.
Watch out for
Humid or sealed conditions soften and rot the stems. Shrivelled leaves mean it's thirsty; mushy ones mean it's been overwatered.
Reference: Portulacaria afra on Wikipedia.
Elephant Bush FAQ
Can Elephant Bush grow in a closed terrarium?+
No. Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) needs airflow and drier air between waterings, so a sealed, humid jar will cause it to rot. Grow it in an open terrarium instead.
Can Elephant Bush grow in an open terrarium?+
Yes. Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) is well suited to an open, unsealed terrarium where air moves freely and excess moisture can escape — exactly the conditions it prefers.
What size terrarium does Elephant Bush need?+
Elephant Bush suits a small terrarium — jars & bottles. It has a upright growth habit, so plan its position with that in mind and trim or divide it if it starts to outgrow the glass.
Is Elephant Bush easy to care for?+
Elephant Bush is rated easy to care for in a terrarium. Tiny round jade-like leaves on red stems. A fast, forgiving succulent for dry open setups — an easier alternative to a jade plant. Humid or sealed conditions soften and rot the stems. Shrivelled leaves mean it's thirsty; mushy ones mean it's been overwatered.
How much light does Elephant Bush need?+
Elephant Bush does best in bright / some direct light. Keep it out of direct sun, which magnifies through glass and scorches leaves. A fast, forgiving succulent for a bright, open spot with some direct sun. Its tiny jade-like leaves on red stems make it an easier stand-in for a jade plant.
Is Elephant Bush safe for cats and dogs?+
Elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) is non-toxic to cats and dogs — it's even fed to reptiles as a salad plant.
