Portulacaria afra ‘Variegata’

elephant food
Arching jade-plant lookalike with creamy foliage & ruby red stems. A versatile, simple, fine-textured, lovely succulent shrub.
Portulacaria afra 'Variegata'
height 2–5ft
width 3–6ft
tolerates Coast, Cool Summers, Drought, Fog, Heat, Pots, Salt, Wind
water
needs
Low
water
info
This succulent likes to be fully saturated and then go totally dry before the next watering; you risk rotting the roots if you water while there is significant moisture in the soil. Keep an eye on the leaves, if they begin to shrivel the plant is ready for water. If the plant is in a small pot it will be heavy when well watered and lighter when it’s ready for a drink.

Remember your watering schedule will depend on the size of the pot (smaller pots needing more frequent watering) and environmental factors such as the season, weather, humidity and exposure.

Don’t leave succulents in standing water, such as a saucer, for more than a day.
hardy
to
25F
exposure Part Sun – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor
Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing All Purpose, Low Needs
origin South Africa
california
native
No
sunset
zones
9, 12–24

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

OUTDOOR EXPOSURE GUIDE

Full Sun
Six or more hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Shade
Three to five hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Sun
One to two hours of sun beams directly landing on the plants leaves.

Full Shade
The plant is never fully lit by sun beams, but is in a bright spot or has dappled sunbeams playing over the leaves throughout the day.

Deep Shade
The plant never has dappled light on the leaves, and is in a place that feels dim, even on a nice sunny day.

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

Wonderfully useful plant for succulent bonsai collection. Can be selectively pruned to make it more tree like and even wired like a bonsai, with great affect over time.