Why people love it
Elephant bush looks like a jade plant shrunk down, with reddish-brown stems and dainty leaves. It grows fast and roots easily from cuttings. It also takes pruning very well, which makes it one of the most popular succulents for bonsai.
Care in a nutshell
- Prune freely. Every cut makes it branch, and every cutting can become a new plant.
- Sun for strong stems. In low light, stems become long, thin, and floppy.
- It drinks a little more. It’s still a succulent, but it tolerates slightly more frequent watering than most — once the soil is dry.
Watch out for
- Leaf drop after a sudden change in light or watering. It usually grows back.
- Wrinkled leaves when thirsty. It plumps back up within a day of watering.
Fun fact: In South Africa, spekboom thickets are being restored on a large scale to fight land degradation. They’re also studied for their potential to store carbon.
