Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra): The Spekboom Succulent Shrub

Portulacaria afra, known as Elephant Bush, Elephant Food, Spekboom, or Dwarf Jade, is a versatile, succulent shrub with small, round, glossy green leaves on reddish-brown stems. It's a favorite for bonsai, xeriscaping, and carbon sequestration.

Botanical Profile

Growing Elephant Bush

Native to South Africa, this sprawling shrub reaches 6–15 feet tall in habitat but stays compact in containers. The leaves are edible (tart, crunchy). Tiny, pink, star-shaped flowers appear in summer on mature plants. It thrives in full sun to bright shade, gritty, well-drained soil, and minimal water—extremely drought-tolerant.

Hardy to 25°F (-4°C); zones 9–11 outdoors. A premier bonsai subject (easy to shape, fast trunk thickening). Also used in large-scale restoration (Spekboom) for carbon capture. Variegated forms ('Variegata', 'Medio-picta') add color. A tough, multi-purpose succulent for gardens, pots, and the planet.