Spekboom (elephant bush) Portulacaria afra
Spekboom (elephant bush) (Portulacaria afra) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Didiereaceae family, native to Albany thicket and Little Karoo, South Africa, to southern Mozambique. It grows 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Spekboom (elephant bush) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Spekboom (elephant bush) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Didiereaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: leaves (sour, eaten raw in small amounts) |
| Native to | Albany thicket and Little Karoo, South Africa, to southern Mozambique |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Spekboom (elephant bush) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Leaves are eaten by people and browsed by livestock; pet data are limited.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Spekboom (elephant bush)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Spekboom (elephant bush) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (3 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (8 plants)
Questions about Spekboom (elephant bush)
- How far apart should I plant Spekboom (elephant bush)?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Spekboom (elephant bush) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Spekboom (elephant bush) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Spekboom (elephant bush)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Spekboom (elephant bush) flower?
- From about August for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Spekboom (elephant bush) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Leaves are eaten by people and browsed by livestock; pet data are limited.
- What grows well with Spekboom (elephant bush)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Spekboom (elephant bush). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Succulent shrub (drawn as a shrub); frost-tender below about -2 C and rots in wet, cold soil. Widely planted for carbon restoration in South Africa.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Camellia Camellia japonica
- Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides
- Common lilac Syringa vulgaris