Skip to content

Elephant's Food

Portulacaria Afra

Design with this plant

Overview

Portulacaria afra, commonly known as Elephant's Food, is a drought-tolerant succulent that features small, rounded, jade green leaves on reddish-brown stems. It can reach up to 8-15 feet in height and spread 4-6 feet. This evergreen is excellent for adding texture to landscapes and thrives in USDA zones 10-11. Prune for shape and control; it serves well in rock gardens or as a low-maintenance container plant.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater LowZones 9–11Climate Arid, Subtropical
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — commonly known as Elephant's Food
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — commonly known as Elephant's FoodElephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — It can reach up to 8-15 feet in height and spread 4-6 feetElephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — Prune for shape and control; it serves well in rock gardens or as a low-maintenance container plantElephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — This evergreen is excellent for adding texture to landscapes and thrives in USDA zones 10-11Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — commonly known as Elephant's Food or SpekboomElephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — indirect sunlight but can tolerate partial shade+94

Culture

Sun
Full, Half, Shade
Water
Low
USDA zones
9–11

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Portulacaceae
Climate
Arid, Subtropical

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (101)

Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — jade green leaves on reddish-brown stems
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — commonly known as Elephant's Food
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — It can reach up to 8-15 feet in height and spread 4-6 feet
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — Prune for shape and control; it serves well in rock gardens or as a low-maintenance container plant
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — This evergreen is excellent for adding texture to landscapes and thrives in USDA zones 10-11
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — commonly known as Elephant's Food or Spekboom
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — indirect sunlight but can tolerate partial shade
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — is a versatile and succulent shrub native to South Africa
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — textured appearance.<br><br>Elephant's Food thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11 and prefers bright
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — The plant is adaptable to a variety of soil types, provided they are well-draining
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — though it often stays smaller when cultivated in containers
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — fleshy leaves have a glossy jade green hue that contrasts strikingly with its reddish-brown stems
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — this succulent's water requirements are minimal
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — Overwatering can lead to root rot
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping or areas with water restrictions
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — Portulacaria afra can serve as an attractive groundcover or an eye-catching specimen in rock gardens
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — so it's critical to allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions.<br><br>In the landscape
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — Additionally, it's an excellent carbon sequester, making it environmentally beneficial
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — lavender flowers in the garden
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — Its manageable size and ease of maintenance also render it suitable for container gardening
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — Pruning can help maintain its shape and encourage denser growth
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — succulent with lavender blooms
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — allowing for easy relocation or adjustment within the landscape
Elephant's Food (Portulacaria Afra) — green touch to any garden space

Related plants

Yellow II Purslane (Portulaca umbraticola) — It grows 4-8 inches tall and spreads 12-16 inches, flowering from planting to frost

Yellow II Purslane

Portulaca umbraticola

Full

Mojave&reg; Yellow Purslane (Portulaca Umbraticola 'Mojave Yellow') — Mojave&reg; Yellow Purslane, Portulaca umbraticola 'Mojave Yellow', thrives in hot, arid

Mojave&reg; Yellow Purslane

Portulaca Umbraticola 'Mojave Yellow'

Full · Zones 10–11

Rock Purslane (Calandrinia Grandiflora) — Rock Purslane (Calandrinia grandiflora) is a vibrant succulent that features fleshy

Rock Purslane

Calandrinia Grandiflora

Full · Zones 3–10

Mango purslane (Portulaca oleracea) — It grows 4-8 inches tall and spreads 12-16 inches, forming a compact mound that trails softly

Mango purslane

Portulaca oleracea

Full

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) — It forms a mounding, trailing plant 4-8 inches tall and 12-16 inches wide

Purslane

Portulaca oleracea

Full

Elephant Mat (Portulacaria Afra Minima) — Portulacaria afra 'Minima', commonly known as Dwarf Elephant Bush, is a compact succulent shrub

Elephant Mat

Portulacaria Afra Minima

Full · Zones 9–11