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Portulacaria Afra - Elephant Bush - Various Sizes

Ed's Plant Shop  |  SKU: EDS00000817

Size
$55.00
Taxes, discounts and shipping calculated at checkout.

Description

Bring Vibrancy to Your Indoor Space with the Elephant Bush

The Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) is a low-maintenance, air-purifying succulent that brings a lush, colorful touch to any indoor environment. Known for its thick, fleshy leaves and bushy appearance, this plant can thrive even in low-light areas, making it an excellent choice for offices and shaded rooms alike. Not only does it add greenery to your space, but it also helps improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

Elephant Bush Plant Profile

  • Botanical Name: Portulacaria Afra
  • Pronunciation: por-tew-luh-KAR-ee-uh AF-ruh 
  • Common Name: Elephant Bush, Elephant’s Foot, Miniature Jade Plant
  • Family: Portulacaceae 
  • Native Range: South Africa, Swaziland 

Elephant Bush Care Guide

  • Care: Easy
  • Light: Prefers bright to bright indirect
  • Water: Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering. Is drought tolerant
  • Humidity: Can tolerate average home humidity
  • Temperature:  45-90F
  • Pruning: Prune as needed to remove brown or dead leaves and control growth. 
  • Feeding: Fertilize as needed during spring and summer 
  • Propagation: Stem or leaf cuttings
  • Growth: Slow growing
  • Pests: Look out for mealy bugs
  • Toxicity: Toxic to humans and pets

Fun Fact About the Elephant Bush

The Elephant Bush, also known as the Dwarf Jade Plant, is native to South Africa and is an important food source for elephants in the wild, which helps with natural pruning and propagation in its native habitat. This succulent is often mistaken for the jade plant, but it’s more lightweight and grows faster!

Cultivar History of the Elephant Bush

The Elephant Bush has a fascinating history as a vital plant in African ecosystems. Its origins trace back to arid regions of South Africa, where it’s commonly found growing on rocky hillsides and in open woodlands. Not only does it serve as a dietary staple for elephants, but it also plays a crucial role in preventing soil erosion and aiding in water retention in the regions where it grows.

Live Plants – Frequently Asked Questions

Shipping

How are live plants shipped?

All live plants are carefully prepared and hand-packed to protect them during transit. Plants are shipped in their pots (not bare-root), with soil secured using polyfill to prevent shifting. Stems and foliage are supported with paper wrapping to reduce movement and minimize stress during shipping. We may adjust shipping timing based on weather conditions to protect plant health.

When will my plant ship?

Most live plant orders ship within 5–15 business days. Shipping may be delayed during extreme heat or cold to protect plant health. Processing time is separate from transit time.

Do you ship live plants year-round?

Yes, we ship year-round when conditions are safe. During extreme weather, we may temporarily hold shipments rather than risk damage in transit.

What should I expect when my plant arrives?

Minor shipping stress is normal. This may include slight leaf drop, drooping, or cosmetic blemishes. Most plants recover after a short adjustment period with proper care.

My plant lost leaves during shipping — is it dead?

Not necessarily. Leaf loss can occur due to shipping stress or temperature changes, especially in winter. As long as the plant shows signs of life at the root or stem level, it is considered viable and may recover.

How can I protect my plant during cold weather shipping?

During colder months, we may recommend adding a Heat pack to help reduce transit stress. Heat packs help mitigate risk but do not eliminate the possibility of cosmetic cold stress.

Do you offer heat packs?

Yes. Heat packs are available during colder months and are recommended when temperatures may affect plant health in transit. Please note that heat packs reduce risk but do not guarantee plant health, especially during extreme weather.

How long will it take to receive my order?

Most orders ship within 5–15 business days from the date of purchase.

We are a small, independently operated team, and all plants are inspected, prepared, and packed by hand. Unlike standard retail items, live plants require careful timing and handling to ensure safe delivery.

Processing times may be extended during:

  • Holidays and peak seasons
  • Extreme weather conditions
  • Carrier delays outside of our control

Processing time is separate from transit time.

Will my plant look like the one on the website?

Good question — and we’re glad you asked. Because we work with living plants, our inventory is always changing, and plants are often grown and shipped in batches. This makes it impractical to photograph every individual plant.

The photos on each product page are representative of the average size and fullness of that plant at the time of listing. While natural variation is expected — some plants may be slightly larger or smaller — your plant will be similar in overall appearance and quality.

Each plant is hand-selected and packed with care to ensure it arrives healthy and ready to grow.

What should I do after unboxing my plant?

Unbox your plant promptly, place it in bright, indirect light, and allow a few days to adjust before repotting or making changes. See our Plant Unboxing Guide for detailed tips.

Do you offer express shipping?

Express shipping may be available on select items at checkout. Please note that faster shipping does not always eliminate weather-related risks and processing for live plants. Need your order sooner? Send an email to support@edsplantshop.com

Where do you ship?

We ship our selection of rare, healthy, and unique houseplants all across the United States including California. At this time, due to customs and agricultural limitations, we are unable to ship plants internationally from the United States.

Returns and Refunds

What is your 15-Day plant health guarantee?

Small plants (8” nursery pots and under) are covered by our 15-Day Plant Health Guarantee, starting from the delivery date.

Large plants (10” nursery pots and above) have a 48-hour inspection and reporting window from delivery.

Coverage applies to severe and irreversible decline through no fault of the customer. Full details are outlined in our Refund & Returns Policy.

What should I do if my plant arrives damaged?

Please email us at support@edsplantshop.com within the inspection window with clear photos of the plant and packaging. Do not discard the plant or materials until our team reviews your case.

What is your return policy for non-plant items?

Approved non-plant items may be returned within 30 days of delivery, subject to the following:

  • Items must be unused and in original packaging
  • Prior approval is required
  • A 15% restocking fee applies
  • Customers are responsible for return shipping

Final-sale items are not eligible for return or refund.

Can I cancel my live plant order?

Live plant orders may be canceled only if they have not entered fulfillment. Once packing or shipping has begun, orders cannot be canceled.

Can I return or exchange a plant?

At this time, we do not accept returns on plants. In extreme circumstances where a return of a plant is necessary, the customer is responsible for the return shipping and a refund will only be issued if the plant arrives back to us in living condition.

How long will it take to receive my refund?

Refunds are processed within 3-7 days from when we receive the item(s).

Still have questions?

👉 [View our full FAQ & Policies] or Email us at support@edsplantshop.com with your order number, photos, and any questions. We’re happy to help.