| Botanical Name | Portulacaria afra |
| Family | Portulacaceae |
| Genus | Portulacaria |
| Specie | afra |
| Common Name | Elephant Bush, Elephant Food, Elephant Plant, Miniature Jade, Dwarf Jade, Spekboom, Small Leaf Jade |
| Life Cycle | perennial |
| Fragrant or Not | no |
| Category(Bush/Vine/Tree) | shrub |
| Height | 4-6 ft. |
| Spacing | 36-48 in. |
| Flowering Months | summer |
| Flower Color | pale pink |
| Growing Areas | All pakistan |
| Frost Tender | yes |
| Exposure | full sun |
| Soil pH | tolerant,mildly acidic |
| Propagation | by stem cuttings |
| Uses | Grown for foliage,and bonsai making |
| Other Details | Portulacaria afra is a popular succulent garden plant in use around the world and is often used for bonsai. It has now been shown to be effective in carbon sequestration (binding atmospheric carbon which is responsible for climate change), in semi-arid landscapes and thicket vegetation it is also being used for restoration purposes.The name Portulacaria is composed of Portulaca + aria suggesting a similarity to the genus Portulaca. The word afra is in reference to the fact that the plant occurs in Africa.The Portulacaria afra is an attractive, evergreen succulent shrub or small tree . It has small round succulent leaves and red stems. Small star-shaped pink flowers are borne en masse although flowering in cultivation is often erratic. They are a rich source of nectar for many insects, which in-turn attracts insectivorous birds.The Portulacaria afra is easily propagated from cuttings, the seed is not often available. Cuttings or truncheons strike root easily and can even be planted directly into the ground where they are to be grown. Alternatively cuttings can be taken in the normal manner and allowed to dry out for a day or two in a cool, dry place and then planted in washed river sand. Keep them in a warm shady position until they are rooted and ready to be planted out. Cuttings root quickly and can usually be planted out after four to six weeks. |
beautiful bonsai shaped by our senior member tahir khan sb with Portulacaria afra .
