{"product_id":"elephant-bush-8-hanging","title":"Elephant Bush - 8\" Hanging basket","description":"\u003cp\u003ePortulacaria afra, the Elephant Bush, is a hardy succulent shrub with reddish-brown stems and small, round, glossy green leaves. Native to South Africa, where elephants browse it, the leaves are edible with a pleasant tart taste. It is fast-growing, extremely drought-tolerant and forgiving, thriving in sun or bright shade. Easily pruned, it is popular for bonsai, hedging and lush mixed plantings, and a variegated form is also grown. It bushes up densely and roots readily from cuttings. Adaptable and almost foolproof, Elephant Bush is an excellent beginner succulent and a versatile green plant for Indian gardens, balconies and pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDidiereaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.6-2 m in pots (taller in ground)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.6-1.5 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall round glossy green leaves on red stems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePink (rare in cultivation)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate spring (uncommon indoors)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical and subtropical (frost-free)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull to bright sun; tolerates bright shade.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoak-and-dry; drought-tolerant, reduce in monsoon.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWell-draining succulent or general gritty mix.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIdeal 18-35C; protect below 5C.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable; prefers low to moderate.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight balanced feed once or twice in growing season.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrunes well; trim to shape, ideal for bonsai.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvery 1-2 years or as it grows.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery easy from stem cuttings.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMealybugs and whitefly; treat with neem oil.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNon-toxic; leaves are edible.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery easy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsed for bonsai, hedging, ground cover, hanging pots and lush mixed succulent plantings. The tart leaves are edible and the variegated form is highly ornamental.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn India it grows vigorously in sun to bright shade; pinch and prune regularly to keep it dense, and ease back watering during the monsoon to avoid soft, weak growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water Elephant Bush?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLet the soil dry between waterings, about weekly in summer and much less in monsoon and winter. It tolerates drought but dislikes soggy roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much light does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt does best in full to bright sun but also tolerates bright shade indoors; more light keeps it dense and compact.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAre the leaves really edible?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, the leaves are edible and have a pleasant tart, lemony taste, and the plant is non-toxic to pets and people.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I use it for bonsai?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely; its small leaves, thick stems and tolerance of pruning make it one of the easiest and most popular succulent bonsai subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I propagate it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is very easy from cuttings; snip a stem, let it callus a day, and plant in gritty mix where it roots quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy is my plant leggy or dropping leaves?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eToo little light causes legginess, while sudden leaf drop usually follows overwatering or a big change in conditions. Give it more light and steadier care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, near a bright window; with enough light it stays bushy, but in dim spots it stretches and grows sparse.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I make it bushier?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePinch and prune the tips regularly; it responds to trimming by branching freely into a fuller shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt can produce small pink flowers in late spring under ideal conditions, but flowering is uncommon on potted and indoor plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat fertilizer should I use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA light balanced fertilizer once or twice during the growing season supports its fast growth; avoid feeding in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51048306802934,"sku":"PLT-ELEPHANTBUSH-H08-NA","price":80.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-g-elephant-bush-portulacaria-afra-jade-plant-hanging-basket-plant-116447.jpg?v=1782711218","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/elephant-bush-8-hanging","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}