Portulacaria Afra F. Variegata – Rainbow Bush

The Portulacaria Afra f. Variegata is better known as Rainbow Bush, or variegated Elephant bush/shrub/food because elephants just love to chomp on it.

It’s not only elephants that like this pretty succulent. It has attractive reddish-brown stems and smooth fleshy green leaves that reach two centimetres long. The chief attraction of this sprawling slow-growing succulent is the heavy cream variegation that edges every little leaf.

When the flowers clusters arrive they are small and lavender-pink, but as it grows the stems become interwoven bringing out their touchable aspect.  It’s a lovely plant that offers so much more than simply colour.

You can grow Elephant Bush outside in a warm sunny spot, or inside where they thrive in indirect sunlight and free-draining potting mix. If you’re wary of houseplants let us help with our indoor plant care guide that’ll have your home green and fresh in a flash.

Quick Facts

• What to use me for:  I’m a pretty addition to a flower bed and enjoy a container on the deck. I’ll cheer up your dull coffee table too.

• I grow to:   I’ll reach two metres high and one metre wide in the right conditions, but I’ll stay much smaller as a houseplant.

• I am currently: a variegated babe at 10cm

• Where to place me:  I like full sun to part shade in the garden, but when I’m indoors keeping me away from direct burning sunlight is important. 

• How far to space me:  I’ll need 75cms to one metre of space.

• Soil Conditions: I need moist but well-drained soil outside and I like the dry life indoors. If my soil feels damp please don’t water me. I like feeling neglected.

Our plants are beautifully grown and mature in size with developed root’s and guaranteed sun hardened. These plants can be inserted straight into the ground and make an excellent garden plant.

 

We carefully package your plants into a custom size box to ensure safe transport and a healthy plant delivered to your door.