- 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
Also Known 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
Also Known 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
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known 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
Also Known 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 Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes 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 more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
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 a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
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