Yellow Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra 'Aurea')

Description

Yellow Elephant Bush or Portulacaria afra 'Aurea' is a diminutive succulent shrub, much loved for its neat, round, plump, succulent leaves, which will develop into a glorious, golden-yellow color in plenty of sun. This cultivar of the more well-known Elephant Bush (Spekboom / Dwarf Jade) has similar reddish-brown, woody stems but this clone boasts such a wonderfully bright and warm, sunny hue on the foliage, which becomes brightest yellow in direct light, though more greenish in shaded locations.

Yellow Elephant Bush, with its upright bushy growth style makes for an ideal specimen plant or can be grouped together with other succulents, while also lending itself to bonsai cultivation over time as its branches become woody and pliant. This particular succulent will be happy on a balcony or windowsill and will be suited for a spot at the corner of a sunny patio to create a hot accent when set next to green and red plants. Its compact habit makes it ideal for tabletop and desk decoration, especially with pruning from time to time.

Yellow Elephant Bush is tolerant of some mistreatment; this makes it perfect for beginners and for those succulent collectors who have a knack for sometimes forgetting. They thrive in Indian summers and, once their roots are set in the ground, don’t require much watering but appreciate regular moisture during their growing periods so you can get your succulent to reach its lushest form. Just give it plenty of light and well-draining soil and this one will take off.

Key Features

• Small, rounded leaves which turn a brilliant golden-yellow in full sun
• Compact, bushy growth habits, making it ideal for small spaces or for styling as bonsai
• Reddish-brown woody stems that add contrast to the yellow foliage
• Highly drought-tolerant once established
• Tolerant of neglect when you miss the occasional watering
• Very receptive to pruning, enabling shaping and size management
• Great for balcony’s, window sill’s and mixed succulent pots
• A distinctive, colourful addition for succulent collectors and gifting

Care at a Glance

Product Specifications

What's in the Box

• 1 × Live Yellow Elephant Bush plant
• 1 × Pot (Bare-rooted/Pot: Optional)
• Well-draining potting mix
• Basic care guide

Important Notes

• Natural variation in leaf colour intensity is normal and depends on the amount of sunlight the plant receives
• Some leaf loss during shipping is normal for succulents and the plant will recover in a week or two.
• Allow plant time to adjust to the light, try not to put it into intense afternoon direct light right out of box.
• Keep away from overwatering and waterlogging, especially during the monsoon season
• Leaves will look more greener under less light and take on more gold when the plant gets more light
• Prune from time to time to keep the plant compact and bushy and to encourage new growth

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the foliage of my Yellow Elephant Bush turning green, and not yellow?

A: The gold and yellow coloration only appears if the plant gets full sun to bright direct sun. In a less light exposure position, it’ll be more green. Change the place of it and you would soon see yellow appear as new leaves emerge.

Q: How much and how often do you water this plant?

A: This plant does not require much water. Only water when the soil dried out thoroughly, around 10-14 days. Reduce to once in a month during winter because the succulent can be affected with root rot by too much water.

Q: Will Yellow Elephant Bush grow indoors?

A: Yes, but it requires a bright location, usually near a south window, in order to remain coloured and grow well. Indoors and not enough light will see it remain greener and perhaps grow slower. 

Q: What is the growth rate of this plant?

A: With plenty of light and consistent watering throughout the growth period it grows at a medium to fast rate and can be pruned as required to maintain an even and bush growth habit.

Q: Should this plant be fertilised?

A: Dilute all-purpose liquid fertiliser should be applied monthly, through spring and summer to encourage the plant to thrive and a lusher growth habit. Avoid fertilisation during the dormant cool of winter.

Q: Is the Yellow Elephant Bush suitable to have around pets?

A: The Portulacaria afra plant is generally recognised as non-toxic and safe to keep around the household cats and dogs. It's always advised to discourage pets from ingesting any indoor plant, however.