Portulacaria afra

‘Elephant Bush’

FAMILY: Portulacaria

USES: A strong informal low hedge. Also does well as a low barrier plant, en masse, in borders, rock gardens, pots or containers, hanging baskets, window boxes, green walls. Sometimes seen as a cascade over planters, terraces, and balconies. Around pools, courtyards and under canopied trees.

SIZE: Grows 0.5 – 1.2m tall with a 1m spread and is slow growing.

LOCATION: Full sun and reflected heat to light partial shade. Does well in both coastal areas and the hotter, drier interior regions.

SOIL: Best in an organically enriched free draining fertile soil with a pH 5.6 – 6.5, acidic to mildly acidic. Will show leaf chlorosis if soil is too alkaline, saline or if over irrigated.

FERTILISER: Apply a slow release 10:20:10 NPK annually in spring. Apply a light application of low nitrogen fertiliser in autumn.

WATER: Allow the soil the plant is growing in to approach dryness before applying water. Prefers deep, periodic irrigation. Reduce in winter. Does not accept over irrigation or waterlogging which will lead to rot at the base.