Portulacaria Care | 台北市立動物園資訊網

2021年4月13日—Elephantplantisasucculentthatgrowsasasmallbush.Afewrulesonhowtocareforelephantbushwillhelpyougrowahealthyspecimen.

Native to South Africa, Portulacaria afra or elephant bush plant is a versatile perennial succulent[1] with fleshy, glossy leaves that grows as a small bush. Hardy only in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, it can be grown much like a bonsai, in a hanging basket or outside directly in the garden.

This multifaceted plant is a favorite food for elephants, but also a favorite of the people of South Africa who use the tart foliage in soups and salads, and to treat a variety of ailments as well. Not only people and elephants enjoy eating the succulent leaves of elephant bush, so do goats and other animals. Because of this, overgrazing is common, leading to a difficulty in germination of the elephant succulent in its native region of South Africa.