Succulent 'Elephant Bush' Live Plant
What arrives: your plant, rooted in soil in its 4" nursery pot. Pot size is the pot's diameter, not the plant's height — a larger pot generally means an older, larger plant. Live plants vary in height, fullness and leaf count.
Healthy-arrival guarantee. Arrives dead, severely damaged, or significantly different from the description? Email photos of the plant and packaging to info@shopfloridaplant.com within 48 hours of delivery for a full refund or a free replacement. View terms
Free delivery, continental U.S. Packed and dispatched in 1–4 business days (we ship Monday–Wednesday so plants don't sit in transit over a weekend); standard transit is then typically 3–7 business days. Heat packs are not included automatically — for cold-weather deliveries (below about 45°F at the destination) add Winter Plant Shipping Protection to your order. In extreme heat or cold we may hold your order until it is safe to ship, and will let you know. Shipping details
Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) is an easy South African succulent with small, round, bright green pads on reddish-brown stems. Grown as a little tree or shrub, it's a forgiving favorite for beginners (and a popular bonsai subject).
The Elephant Bush is a charming, bushy succulent with glossy little leaves that feel friendly and full of life. It's a forgiving favorite for beginners and looks adorable on a desk or sunny windowsill. A cheerful green companion that adds instant warmth to any space.
Why choose Succulent 'Elephant Bush'
- Low-water and forgiving as long as you don't overwater
- Sculptural, eye-catching shapes
- Loves a sunny windowsill
Looks best: sunny south- or west-facing windowsill.
What you receive
- One live Succulent 'Elephant Bush', rooted in soil in a 4", 6" or 10" nursery pot (pick a size above).
- Nursery pot and soil included; a decorative planter only if you select one.
- Live plants vary in height, fullness and leaf count within the pot size you choose; we do not publish measured shipping heights.
Will it suit your home?
- Botanical name: Portulacaria afra
- Light: Bright light with some direct sun (a sunny windowsill)
- Water: only when the soil is completely dry — water sparingly, much less in winter.
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly — easy as long as you don't overwater.
- Growth style: Compact, slow-growing succulent.
- Mature size: Stays compact and grows slowly — mature size can vary by growing conditions.
- Pet safety: Pet safety varies among succulents — keep this plant out of reach of pets unless you have confirmed it is non-toxic.
Good fit: Sunny windowsills and bright rooms · People who tend to underwater (or forget to water) · Lovers of sculptural, low-water plants · Small spaces — shelves, desks, and sills.
Think twice if: Low-light rooms — they stretch and weaken · People who tend to overwater — soggy soil rots them · Homes with pets, unless you've confirmed it's non-toxic · Spots with no bright or direct light.
Delivery and arrival help
- Ships free within the continental U.S. from a greenhouse in Florida or California, carefully packed in its nursery pot with soil.
- Dispatched within 1–4 business days, Monday to Wednesday so plants don't sit in transit over a weekend; standard transit is typically 3–7 business days after that.
- Heat packs are not included automatically: in cold weather (below about 45°F at the destination) add Winter Plant Shipping Protection to your order, and in extreme cold or heat we may hold the order until it is safe to ship — we will let you know.
- If it arrives dead, severely damaged, or significantly different from the description, email photos of the plant and packaging to info@shopfloridaplant.com within 48 hours of delivery for a full refund or a free replacement (refund policy).
- Give your plant a few days to settle in; minor cosmetic marks from transit are normal.
Care and common questions
- Light: Bright light with some direct sun is ideal for Succulent 'Elephant Bush' — a sunny windowsill is perfect. Too little light makes it stretch and lose its compact shape.
- Watering: Water sparingly — only when the soil is fully dry, and much less in winter. Overwatering (soggy soil) is the main way these plants fail.
- Humidity: Average household humidity is fine — these are dry-climate plants and don't need misting.
- Temperature: Warm room temperatures; protect it from frost and cold drafts.
- Soil: A gritty, fast-draining cactus/succulent mix in a pot with a drainage hole.
- Fertilizer: Feed lightly with a diluted cactus/succulent fertilizer in spring and summer; none in winter.
- Pruning: Pinch or trim to shape; stem cuttings root readily once the cut end has dried for a day or two. Single leaves are slow and unreliable for this type.
- Care tip: Err on the side of underwatering — these store water and rot if kept wet.
How often should I water Succulent 'Elephant Bush'?
Water only when the soil is completely dry — water sparingly, much less in winter. It prefers to dry out a little between waterings rather than stay soggy.
What kind of light does Succulent 'Elephant Bush' need?
Bright light with some direct sun is ideal for Succulent 'Elephant Bush' — a sunny windowsill is perfect. Too little light makes it stretch and lose its compact shape.
Is Succulent 'Elephant Bush' pet safe?
Pet safety varies among succulents and cacti. Until you've confirmed Succulent 'Elephant Bush' is non-toxic, it's safest to keep it out of reach of pets.
Why is my Succulent 'Elephant Bush' stretching out or getting leggy?
Stretching (etiolation) is almost always a light problem — the plant is reaching for the sun. Move it to the brightest spot you have, ideally a sunny windowsill; new growth comes in compact, though stretched growth will not shrink back. Check the mix too: if it stays wet for days, let it dry out fully before watering again.