Healthy Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent

Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent

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$18.99
  • Low Maintenance
  • Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Direct Light, Bright Indirect Light)
  • Below Average Watering Needs
  • Mature Height 8-15 feet
  • Pet Safe

The Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent is botanically called Portulacaria afra, but is widely known as the Elephant Bush. Originating from South Africa, it is one of the easiest succulents to take care of and a great first succulent plant to try growing at home. Producing bright-green, fleshy leaves on thick stems, it can reach up to 12 feet tall, although when grown in a pot indoors, it will keep to a far more manageable size.

Best Locations For Growing Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent

Considered non-toxic, the Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent can be grown in any room as long as it receives bright light and average room temperatures. 

Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent Sunlight Requirements

The Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent thrives in high levels of light, although it will tolerate a room with medium light conditions. For it to grow best, place it near a bright window where it will receive at least 6 hours of light a day. If moving the Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent to a spot with higher light levels, it may need to be done so gradually, in order to acclimatize the plant to the new conditions and not scorch the leaves.

Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent Care

Preferring a temperature of 65°F to 80°F the Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent can be grown indoors or placed outdoors during the warmer months. At the end of summer when the temperature drops below 60 °F, bring the plant inside. If the leaves turn yellow or die, they can be pruned away using a pair of sharp scissors that have been sanitized. Every 2 to 3 years the Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent will require repotting into a slightly larger pot, which is best done in spring with a fresh and free-draining succulent potting mix.

Watering Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent

As with most succulents, the Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent prefers to be allowed to dry out in between watering. When the soil is dry, it can be watered thoroughly, ideally with harvested rainwater. Place the plant back into its pot once any excess water has been allowed to drain away.  

Feeding Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent

The Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent will benefit from being given a monthly feed of succulent or cactus fertilizer diluted to half strength from spring until the fall. However, it is not recommended to feed this succulent during its winter dormancy period.

Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent Information

Light Exposure: Bright Direct Light, Bright Indirect Light
Care Requirements: Easy
Watering Requirements: Below Average - Let the soil dry completely, then, water deeply.
Pet Friendly: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Air Purifier: High
Habit: Upright
Growth Rate: Slow
Mature Height: 8-15 feet
Mature Spread: 6 feet
Flowering: Yes
Flower Color(s): Pink, Purple
Flower Shade/Description: Lavender-Pink
Fragrant:
Foliage Type: Variegated
Foliage Color(s): Green
Foliage Description: Green/Lime, Pink, Variegated, White, Yellow/Gold
Temperature: 65° - 80°F (18° - 27°C)
Humidity: 75% Or Above
Common Name: Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent
Other Name(s): Rainbow Bush
Scientific Name: Portulacaria afra ‘Variegata’
Plant Type: House Plant
SKU:
Succ_Portulacaria_Rainbow.Bush-HP

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

4.5 Pot

4.5" Pot
 Also Know As:
   4.5" Container

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months
 Plant Size:
   ~ 3"-6"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
 Volume:
   1.42 quarts

Quart Pot

Quart Pot
 Also Know As:
   Quart

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months - 1 year
 Plant Size:
   ~ 4"-8"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
 Volume:
   1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart

2.5 Quart
 Also Know As:
   2.5 Quart Pot

 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 8"-12"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
 Volume:
   2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot

#1 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #1 Container
    1 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 10"-14"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 7"H x 7.75"W
 Volume:
   2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot

#2 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #2 Container
    2 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 3 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-18"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
 Volume:
   1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot

#3 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #3 Container
    3 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 2 - 4 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-30"
 Pot Size:
   ~9.5"H x 11"W
 Volume:
   2.32-2.76 gallons


For more detailed information, please click here.

Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)

Plant Addicts guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy and healthy, but the plant(s) are being shipped through the mail and accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.

For information on how to care for you new plant please check out our guide. Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty whether you’re new or an expert. There are many variables outside our control and yours that can cause the demise of your plant(s). Examples would be hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, disease, insects & many other factors. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all the unknowns and will replace your plant if it moves on to the plant afterlife.

The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant purchase. We will cover 100% of the price of the plant but the warranty does not cover shipping cost. Simply let us know if your plant has died within one year of receiving it and we’ll get you a new one shipped out. We may ask for photos for documentation purposes but again we’ll try to make it as easy as possible.

For more information, please go to our Shipping & Returns page at the bottom of the website.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

  • If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.  
    • We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location


Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.