Elephant bush
(Portulacaria afra)
Country of Origin : South Africa
Bonsai Styles : Informal upright, slanting, semi-cascade, broom, root over rock, group
Zone : 9 – 11
Elephant bush is a succulent that is native to South Africa. It grows as a shrub or a small tree.
The firm, fleshy and near horizontal limbs of this plant have opposite, thick, bright green leaves with water-storing cells. It also produces delicate light pink upright flowers.
Initially, the stem is smooth, but after a few years, it develops a dark brown, furrowed bark.
It is often confused with Crassula ovata – Jade bonsai tree.
Can you bonsai elephant bush?
Elephant bush can be grown as a bonsai. In fact, its one of the plants that is recommended for bonsai beginners. It is particularly well suited to bonsai growers who travel often or, for other reasons, have difficulty watering the bonsai regularly. It is not a very demanding bonsai. It is also very easy to shape an elephant bush bonsai tree.
Read more about other bonsai trees species in : Types of bonsai tree
Best location to keep Elephant bush bonsai tree
Is elephant bush an indoor plant?
An elephant bush can be kept indoors throughout the year in a bright and sunny window. Keep it near a south or west facing window. 1000 Lux is the minimum amount of light it will require to flourish. Please read the light levels required by bonsai to know the light requirements of various indoor bonsai trees. Also read how to grow indoor bonsai using grow lights.
Also make sure that there is enough air ventilation around the elephant bush bonsai.
It can also be placed outdoors from spring to fall in a full sunlight or partially shaded location. However, do this when the last frost has passed.
Can Portulacaria Afra grow in shade?
Portulacaria Afra can be grown in partial shade. However, the size of the leaves and shoots will increase. High light levels are crucial to keep the leaves small and the shoots more compact.
In winter, it can be kept in an unheated room. It can even be placed in a heated room but make sure that the nighttime temperature is lowered (heating is switched off).
A good temperature range for elephant bush bonsai in winter is between 50°F and 61°F (10°C and 16°C). It can even tolerate temperatures as high as 71°F (22°C) in winter, but (like mentioned before) place the bonsai in a cooler place at night.
Click here to read our detailed guide to indoor bonsai tree care.
IMP: Refer to do bonsai trees need sunlight for more indoor and outdoor bonsai location ideas. Also, refer sunlight requirements for indoor plants for more indoor gardening ideas.
Propagation of Elephant bush bonsai tree
Elephant bush can be propagated through cuttings. During the spring or summer, take a cutting that is 3-6 inches long. Let it dry for almost 2 weeks.
Plant the cutting in a dry growing medium (made by mixing equal parts of sand and peat moss). Do not water the soil till you see small root fibers. You should see rooting in 10-20 days.
Watering Elephant bush bonsai tree
In its natural habitat, elephant bush grows in arid areas. The fleshy stems, branches, and leaves of this succulent plant can store water for a long time.
This plant is naturally adapted to survive without water for weeks (almost a month) without suffering any ill effects. However, in excess drought, the will loose its leaves.
Water the Portulacaria afra bonsai only after the soil is quite dry. This plant requires less watering.
During the winter months, if it is placed in a cool location, water it only every four to eight weeks.
Water from the tap can be used and no mist spraying is needed.
Read watering bonsai tree and indoor bonsai tree care for more details and also about bonsai water immersion technique.
Wiring Elephant bush bonsai tree
You can wire the tree, but try to shape the tree as much as you can by pruning.
The best time to wire branches is from the middle to the end of summer. Branches no thicker than a finger can be wired.
The bark is sensitive and branches tend to break easily, so you should be very careful when wiring. Furthermore, it is necessary to remove and replace the wire frequently, as the branches thicken rapidly.
Read : Detailed guide on How to wire a bonsai. This extensive guide includes all the wiring techniques and Do’s and Dont’s. It will also show you other bonsai training techniques which can be achieved without using wires.
Pruning Elephant bush bonsai tree
When to prune Elephant bush bonsai tree?
How to prune Elephant bush bonsai tree?
Branches can be pruned from early spring through summer.
At the beginning and end of summer, shorten the new shoots. New shoots should be cut back to 1 or 2 pairs of leaves after they have developed 4 or 5 pairs of leaves.
You should always remove all the new shoots emerging directly from the trunk, and branches that grow inside the crown, to create a clean-looking shape.
The pruning wounds do not need any special treatment. Because the wound dries quickly and the edges of the wound rolls over and heal flush with the trunk.
Read how to prune a bonsai to know about the right technique of pruning and more about defoliating a bonsai tree.
Repotting Elephant bush bonsai tree
When to repot Elephant bush bonsai tree?
Elephant bush can be repotted every second year. It can be done anytime, however late spring is preferable.
At the time of repotting, along with root pruning, also remove branches that are not part of the final design of the bonsai.
Use a free-draining bonsai soil mix which is low in organic matter and more sand or fine gravel.
You can also make a bonsai soil mix by mixing loam, sand and peat moss (2:2:1) OR fired clay particles, fine gravel and lava chippings (3:1:1). You can also make a basic bonsai soil by mixing soil and coarse sand (or equivalent material) in the ratio 2:3.
Please check out how to repot a bonsai to know everything about repotting and root pruning a bonsai.
Must Read: Bonsai Soil Recipes
Must read : Choosing the right bonsai container
Feeding Elephant bush bonsai tree
During the spring and summer, fertilize every two weeks with a liquid fertilizer low in nitrogen (e.g. cactus fertilizer).
The bonsai will not need feeding if kept in a cool room during the winter. However, if it is placed in a heated room during the day in winter, then apply feed once a month.
Read more about bonsai fertilizer and its application. This will also give you more details on how to feed flowering bonsai trees.
Diseases and pest of Elephant bush bonsai tree
Excessive watering will cause root rot and too sparse water will cause leaf drop.
Caterpillars and slugs can also pose some problems at times. These can be easily removed manually.
Elephant bush bonsai is susceptible to mealybugs (especially when grown indoors), root aphids and whiteflies. Root aphids are particularly problematic as these pests can also migrate to other nearby plants.
You can apply metasystox to the soil to treat root aphids. You can use a spray of bioresmethrin, Bifenthrin, Resmethrin, or Orthene for white flies.
Please make sure you read our comprehensive guide: How to identify and treat bonsai pests and diseases is a great resource for you to see all the organic and inorganic remedies you can use.
