Portulacaria afra f. variegata - Rainbow Bush

Rainbow Bush, Mini Jade, Spekboom, or Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra f. variegata) (Jacquin): This stemmed succulent is particularly versatile and easy to grow. Plant it outdoors in warm climates and it can grow into a dense, 4.0' tall shrub. Keep it indoors in a small pot and it will stay a petite, bonsai plant. It is native to South Africa and Swaziland where it grows on sunny, rocky slopes. It even has a symbiotic relationship with elephants: elephants eat some of the branches and their trampling aids propagation of new shrubs from stem cuttings.

P. afra variegata stands out for its green and cream leaves (0.5" - 1.0") and deep red stems that verge on purple. Planted outdoors, it grows as a cascading ground cover and eventually mounds upon itself into a shrub up to 4.0' tall. Though reluctant to bloom in cultivation, P. afra can sometimes produce clusters of tiny, violet flowers in midsummer.

Despite similar appearance and care needs, P. afra is not closely related to the Jade Plants. It is, however, equally easy to grow indoors. Pick pots and soil with great drainage and place the plant near a sunny window. The stems are easily pruned into your desired form or left to cascade from a container. Water deeply but very infrequently, particular during winter dormancy. In warmer months, try your hand at propagating stem cuttings (). No elephants required.