Dwarf Jade / Elephant Bush bonsai

Dwarf Jade / Elephant Bush Bonsai Care

Portulacaria afra

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Zones 9 to 11, indoor or out. A succulent shrub whose native range, per Kew, runs from northwestern Kenya and southern Mozambique to South Africa.

Didiereaceae (older references place it in Portulacaceae, the purslane family) · Evergreen succulent shrub; an indoor bonsai outside frost-free climates

At a glance

Type
Succulent
Leaves
Evergreen
USDA zones
9 to 11
Indoor or outdoor
Indoor-capable
Difficulty
Beginner
Buds on old wood
Yes
Styles suited
Cascade
Bonsai popularity
Tier 1

Close-up photo reference

Compare your tree against these to confirm the species and spot problems early.

Dwarf Jade / Elephant Bush in flower
Flower, Philmarin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Round, glossy green leaves on reddish stems of a dwarf jade bonsai, with its thick trunk behind
Foliage / leaf detail, Photo: Bonsai Wonderland
Reddish brown bark with fine cracks and peeling flakes on the trunk of a dwarf jade
Bark & trunk, Photo: Bonsai Wonderland

Dwarf Jade / Elephant Bush quick reference

USDA zones9 to 11 [1] [7]; indoors in colder zones
Indoor / outdoorIndoor-capable: an indoor tree in most temperate zones [10]; outdoors in summer, back in when nights fall below 40°F (4°C) [1]
LightBright light; does best with at least 4 hours of direct sun [6]; a south window indoors [1]
WaterDry side: drought tolerant in the ground [1], but in a pot water when the soil has nearly dried [10] [11], which can mean every few days in summer heat [7] [10]
SoilVery well-drained: cactus mix or a gritty mix with pumice or grit [1] [4]
RepotSources differ: every other year in spring [10]; when roots fill the pot [1]; once a year [6]
FrostSources differ: a mature plant in the ground takes moderate frost [3] (25°F (-4°C) per [8]); for a potted bonsai keep it above 40°F (4°C) [1] [10], and RHS and the Phoenix Bonsai Society advise 50°F (10°C) [4] [11]
Mature height8 to 15 ft (2.4 to 4.6 m) in the ground in mild climates [1]; 5 to 8 ft (1.5 to 2.5 m) per RHS [4]
Growth rateSources differ: moderate [5] [8]; slow-growing [4], grows relatively slowly [10]; fast growing [11]; depends on the selection [7]
Season of interestEvergreen [4] (semi-evergreen per [1]); reddish stems [1]; small pink or white flowers, rare in cultivation [1]
Leaf reductionNot rated by the sources we checked; frequent pinching refines it [11]
Main risksMain risks, not ranked by any source: root rot in soil that stays wet [1], and cold [7]

Overview & Character

Dwarf jade is a succulent shrub whose native range, per Kew, runs from northwestern Kenya and southern Mozambique to South Africa [2]; it grows on warm rocky slopes and in thicket and dry river valleys [3]. The Phoenix Bonsai Society calls it a plant almost anyone can grow, good for beginners because it survives long dry spells, and suited to almost any style [11].

Treat it as a succulent: bright light, a gritty mix, a real dry spell between waterings, and protection from cold.

It is not a true jade. Jade plant (Crassula ovata) has its own guide here, and the two are not related [1], though Bonsai Empire says the same care guidelines apply to both [10]. It also says dwarf jade takes pruning, drought and wiring better than Crassula and beginners often find it more forgiving [10]. Its leaves are edible and eaten in southern Africa [1] [3].

Identification

Foliage. Fleshy, flattened, round to oval leaves about 1/2 to 3/4 in long, almost stalkless, glossy emerald green, in opposite pairs [1], each pair at right angles to the next [11]. In good sun they can show red tips or edges [10].

Bark & trunk. Stems are brittle, fleshy and reddish brown, maturing to gray, with woody tissue inside [1]. Young bark is soft and green [10].

Growth habit / form. A soft-wooded, upright, many-stemmed shrub or small tree that becomes a thicket if left unpruned; heavy branches can snap off and root where they land [1].

Flowers / fruit. Tiny star-shaped pink or white flowers, then small dry one-seeded fruits [1]. Flowers are rare in cultivation [1], and the sources give different seasons: late spring or early summer [1] [7], late winter to spring [3], or summer [4].

Look-alikes & how to tell them apart: Jade plant (Crassula ovata) has thick oval leaves 1 to 3 1/2 in long [12]; dwarf jade has much smaller leaves set closer together on thinner stems [1]. Variegated dwarf jades are smaller and less robust than the green form [1].

Climate & USDA Zone

Dwarf jade is hardy in the ground in USDA zones 9 to 11 [1] [7] and is freeze sensitive [7]. The sources disagree on how much cold it takes:

Light

It needs bright light [1]. NParks says it does best with at least 4 hours of direct sun and may get leggy with less [6]; full shade gives spindly, weak growth [7]. Indoors a south window is ideal, east or west acceptable [1]. Bonsai Empire wants full sun if possible [10]; RHS says bright but indirect light [4]. Sudden full sun can scorch the leaves, so move it outside gradually [1].

Watering

Dry side. UW Extension calls it very drought tolerant, though it grows faster and lusher with adequate water; the danger is root rot in soil that stays moist [1]. In spring, water sparingly and let the soil dry 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep before watering again [1]. In winter, unless it is unusually bright and warm, UW withholds water until the lower leaves shrivel, which can take several months [1].

The other sources agree on drying between waterings but differ on how far. Bonsai Empire's care text says to let it dry out a little, and as little as every three weeks in a cool winter; its FAQ says to let it dry almost completely, which may mean every 2 to 7 days in warm, bright conditions [10]. Arizona State says that in Phoenix summers it needs watering weekly, particularly in a container, and none in the cooler months [7]. RHS keeps it almost dry outside mid-spring to mid-autumn [4]. The Phoenix Bonsai Society waits until the soil approaches dryness, and says established plants can go until the largest leaves start to wrinkle [11].

Soil & Root Care

Use a very well-drained mix: cactus mix, or a blend rich in small pea gravel, poultry grit or pumice with little sand [1]; RHS also recommends cactus compost [4], and the Phoenix Bonsai Society finds regular bonsai mix fine if it drains well [11]. Use pots with large drainage holes [1]. The small root ball suits shallow bonsai pots [1].

Repotting advice varies: every other year [10], when roots fill the pot [1], or yearly [6]. Both bonsai sources repot in spring [10] [11]. Let the soil dry first [11], then hold off watering for about a week [10] or until new growth appears [11]; Bonsai Empire warns that watering right after repotting leads to root rot [10].

Feeding

UW Extension feeds potted plants monthly during the growing season, or more often when pruning hard to build a dense plant in a small pot [1]. Bonsai Empire also feeds monthly, spring through autumn, though its FAQ says every few weeks in spring and summer [10]. NParks finds a balanced slow-release fertilizer every 4 months enough [6]. Bonsai Empire skips winter feeding and warns that too much fertilizer gives weak, leggy growth [10].

Pruning & Styling

It buds back readily wherever a branch or even a leaf has been removed [1], so pinching or cutting just above a leaf pair keeps it at nearly any size or shape [1]. The Phoenix Bonsai Society says not to shy away from drastic pruning, to cut flush rather than concave because deep cuts scar and can die back, with no sealant [11]; Bonsai Empire also says no cut paste [10]. Let the soil dry before removing heavy branches or roots [11].

The Phoenix Bonsai Society, which finds it fast growing, pinches about weekly on a large tree and up to twice a week on a mame [11]. Wire with care: leaves break off very easily [11], the bark is very soft and wire cuts in quickly [10]. The Phoenix Bonsai Society finds wiring less effective than on hardwoods [11], while Bonsai Empire says it wires better than Crassula [10]. Water-heavy branches droop, which suits long cascades [11].

Seasonal Calendar

Care calendar by month

Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, shift every month by six.

Propagation & Cuttings

Ease: Easy from cuttings [1] [3]. Best method: stem cuttings [1]; seed is not often available [3].

Let cuttings callus for a couple of days, then root them in warmth; they root within 4 to 6 weeks [1], and SANBI plants them out after four to six weeks [3]. UW Extension takes them in spring or summer [1], Bonsai Empire in summer [10], and RHS in spring with bottom heat [4]. Fallen leaves may root on their own [1]. The Phoenix Bonsai Society needs no rooting hormone and skips callusing on cuttings up to 2 inches in diameter [11], so a well-branched piece can start a bonsai.

Pests

It has few pests; mealybugs are the one most often reported, especially indoors [1] [11]; scale is also recorded [4] [7]. NParks says mealybugs often follow an underlying problem such as root rot; prune off infested parts and fix the cause [6]. Like many succulents it is damaged by some sprays: avoid petroleum-based products, or test on a few leaves first [1].

Disease, Fungus & Infection

Root rot in consistently moist soil is the only disease UW Extension names [1], and Arizona State lists fungal root rot where the soil is chronically wet [7]. RHS calls it generally disease-free [4]. Bonsai Empire links leaf drop to overwatering, sudden temperature changes and low light [10].

Most Common Causes of Death

No source we checked ranks these. They are the main risks the sources describe, in no particular order:

Sources

  1. University of Wisconsin Extension: Elephant Bush, Portulacaria afra
  2. Kew Plants of the World Online: Portulacaria afra
  3. SANBI PlantZAfrica: Portulacaria afra
  4. RHS: Portulacaria afra, elephant bush
  5. NParks Flora and Fauna Web: Portulacaria afra
  6. NParks Gardening Resource Library: Elephant Bush
  7. Arizona State University, C. A. Martin plant library: Portulacaria afra
  8. Arizona Municipal Water Users Association: Elephant's Food
  9. UNF Botanical Garden: Portulacaria afra
  10. Bonsai Empire: Jade tree (Portulacaria and Crassula)
  11. Phoenix Bonsai Society: Elephant's Food / Dwarf Jade
  12. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Crassula ovata

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