Large, leafy succulent shrub from South Africa which is relatively common in cultivation, second only to the jade (Crassula ovata) in this category. The common name elephant bush refers to the fact that it's consumed by elephants in Africa. Incredibly easy to propagate from cuttings of different sizes (sometimes by accident from prunings). A member of the Didiereaceae.

Relatively popular as a bonsai subject. Large, gnarly, fat-stemmed plants in small pots (especially bonsai pots) were most likely grown to size in larger pots or the ground and then cut and rooted for display. Long lived and growth limited in smaller containers.

This plant is quite drought tolerant and easily shaped by pruning, often used for hedges in dry climates. Left unchecked it will grow to be a large, multibranched shrub in just a few years. Provide strong light for the strongest, most compact form.

Tiny pink flowers appear at the ends of stems in early summer. Young plants do not flower and even older plants may vary quite a bit from year to year in this respect.

Reply to this comment