Elephant Bush - the plant that thrives on neglect, forgives your forgetfulness, and looks adorable doing it.

Elephant Bush—also called Portulacaria afra, but honestly, who has time to say that every day? This little plant is one of my favorites, mostly because it doesn’t throw tantrums like some of the divas in the succulent world.

First of all, Why is it called Elephant Bush

In its native home — the dry regions of South Africa and Mozambique — elephants literally eat it like salad. No, seriously.

The scientific name is Portulacaria afra, but locals often call it Spekboom, and in English it became known as “Elephant Bush” because:

1. Elephants love it – It’s a major food source for wild elephants. They’ll chomp down huge branches like we eat celery sticks. It grows back fast, so the plants and elephants have a pretty sweet symbiotic relationship.
2. It grows like crazy – Elephants can bulldoze through it and it’ll bounce back. That resilience is a big reason it’s used for land restoration in Africa.
3. It looks like mini jungle shrubs – It’s a succulent with woody stems and small, round leaves, so in the wild it forms bushy thickets — hence, “bush.”

Fun fact for your inner plant nerd (or to impress customers):

🌿 Spekboom (Elephant Bush) can absorb more carbon per hectare than most rainforests. That’s why it’s been planted in reforestation projects — it helps combat climate change and feeds elephants. Not many plants can brag about that!

Care (Or “How Not to Murder It”)

• Light: Elephant Bush is like that friend who’s happy anywhere, but really lights up when you take them on vacation. Indoors, it does great in bright, indirect light near a sunny window. Outdoors, give it some sun once it’s adjusted, and it’ll reward you with plump, glossy leaves and pinkish stems. I left mine on the patio one summer and, instead of sulking, it thrived like it finally found its happy place.
• Watering: Think of this as the camel of the plant world. Water when the soil is bone dry, and then ignore it again. The only way to kill it is by being too loving with water. I once went on vacation for two weeks, forgot about mine, came back, and it looked even perkier than when I left. Meanwhile, my ferns were throwing me shade—literally and figuratively.
• Soil: Anything well-draining. If you use regular potting soil, mix in some sand, perlite, or even crushed pumice. Basically, give it a pot where water runs through like a Netflix show you’re bingeing at 2 a.m.—quick and no clogs.
• Temperature: Warm weather = happy plant. Don’t let it sit in frost; it will pout (and by pout, I mean drop leaves). Indoors it’s fine year-round, outdoors it’s like “sign me up” as long as temps stay above 50°F.
• Growth: Here’s where it gets fun. Left alone, this plant can turn into a sprawling bush. Prune it, and you can shape it into a miniature bonsai tree. I once cut a scraggly branch, stuck it back into some soil, and now I have two Elephant Bushes staring at me like siblings fighting for my attention.

Benefits (aka “Why You Need This Plant In Your Life”)

• Air Purifier: Like other succulents, it helps clean up your air. Does it suck up every bad vibe in your house? Probably not, but I swear my room feels fresher when it’s around.
• Eco-Warrior: This plant is basically Captain Planet in disguise—it’s one of the top plants for absorbing carbon dioxide. In South Africa, whole landscapes are restored using Elephant Bush because it’s that tough and hardworking. My one plant probably isn’t saving the planet, but hey, I’m doing my part.
• Low Maintenance: It doesn’t cry when you ignore it. If you’re the type who forgets watering day, this plant will actually thank you for your neglect. It’s basically the introvert of the plant world—thrives when left alone.
• Decor Goldmine: Whether it’s trailing over a pot, sitting upright like a tiny tree, or shaped into a bonsai, it just looks classy. Mine is next to my kitchen window, and every guest who comes over asks, “What’s that cute little tree thing?” Instant conversation starter.