Portulacaria afra variegata goes by the common name “Rainbow Bush”. With a heavily branched, shrubby growth habit, the species has extraordinarily thick stems with teardrop-shaped leaf edges. The plant has its origin in South Africa and belongs to the family of Didiereaceae. Rainbow Bush offers a dormancy of winters and can grow up to 10 feet in height.
Growth Rate
This interesting plant takes time to mature and hence, grows at a slower pace. Its growing conditions play a huge role in determining its pace of growth.
Flowering
Portulacaria afra is noted for its lavender pink-colored flowers that bloom between late spring till the onset of early summer.
Watering and Feeding
During the dormancy period in winter, practice less frequent watering.
Soil
Rainbow Bush succulent needs well-drained soil and a soil mix that ensures the excess moisture evaporates at the earliest. For feeding, use low nitrogen or a basic houseplant fertilizer every 6-8 weeks between fall and spring.
Hardiness
This houseplant grows best in winters, keeping in mind its frost tolerance of -1.7° C (28.94° F). Portulacaria afra variegata belongs to the hardiness zone of 10a to 11b.
Light
Rainbow Bush plants need full to partial sun exposure. If planted outdoors, place this variety in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight. If indoors, plant next to a sunny window.
Propagation
The plant can be propagated through stem cuttings during the summer and the spring season. Cut out the stems, let them dry for a few days, then dip them in moist soil. The stems will root between 1 to 3 weeks.
Portulacaria afra variegata 'Rainbow Bush' is a tall-growing and sprawling succulent that is flexible in adapting to your whims and wishes about how you would like to grow and nurture your succulent. These plants feature multi colors, making them irresistible.
Bloom Season
Flower Color
Growth Rate
Hardiness Zone
Mature Size
Plant Type
Resistance
Sun Exposure
Watering Needs
| Bloom Season | Late springearly summer |
|---|---|
| Bloom Season | Late summer, early fall |
| Botanical Name | Portulacaria afra |
| Common Name | Rainbow bush |
| Common Name | Variegated Elephant Bush |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Family | Didiereaceae |
| Flower Color | Lavender pink |
| Flower Color | Pink, white |
| Genus | Portulacaria |
| Growth Habit | Shrub bush |
| Growth Habit | Trailing, hanging |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Growth Rate | Slow growth |
| Hardiness Zone | 10a to 11b |
| Hardiness Zone | 9, 10, 11 |
| Mature Size | 10 feet |
| Mature Size | 12 ft. tall, 6 in. wide |
| Native Area | South africa |
| Plant Type | Perennial succulent |
| Propagation | By stem cuttings, divisions |
| Resistance | 1.7° c |
| Resistance | Extremely drought-tolerant, heat resistant, pest resistance, deer resistant |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | specialized succulent potting mix |
| Special Features | Star shaped showy flowers |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun to partial shade |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Safe for humans, friendly to dogs, friendly to cats |
| Watering Needs | Low |
Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features
| Bloom Season | Late springearly summer |
|---|---|
| Bloom Season | Late summer, early fall |
| Botanical Name | Portulacaria afra |
| Common Name | Rainbow bush |
| Common Name | Variegated Elephant Bush |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Family | Didiereaceae |
| Flower Color | Lavender pink |
| Flower Color | Pink, white |
| Genus | Portulacaria |
| Growth Habit | Shrub bush |
| Growth Habit | Trailing, hanging |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Growth Rate | Slow growth |
| Hardiness Zone | 10a to 11b |
| Hardiness Zone | 9, 10, 11 |
| Mature Size | 10 feet |
| Mature Size | 12 ft. tall, 6 in. wide |
| Native Area | South africa |
| Plant Type | Perennial succulent |
| Propagation | By stem cuttings, divisions |
| Resistance | 1.7° c |
| Resistance | Extremely drought-tolerant, heat resistant, pest resistance, deer resistant |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | specialized succulent potting mix |
| Special Features | Star shaped showy flowers |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun to partial shade |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Safe for humans, friendly to dogs, friendly to cats |
| Watering Needs | Low |
- Description
- Key Plant Features
Portulacaria afra variegata goes by the common name “Rainbow Bush”. With a heavily branched, shrubby growth habit, the species has extraordinarily thick stems with teardrop-shaped leaf edges. The plant has its origin in South Africa and belongs to the family of Didiereaceae. Rainbow Bush offers a dormancy of winters and can grow up to 10 feet in height.
Growth Rate
This interesting plant takes time to mature and hence, grows at a slower pace. Its growing conditions play a huge role in determining its pace of growth.
Flowering
Portulacaria afra is noted for its lavender pink-colored flowers that bloom between late spring till the onset of early summer.
Watering and Feeding
During the dormancy period in winter, practice less frequent watering.
Soil
Rainbow Bush succulent needs well-drained soil and a soil mix that ensures the excess moisture evaporates at the earliest. For feeding, use low nitrogen or a basic houseplant fertilizer every 6-8 weeks between fall and spring.
Hardiness
This houseplant grows best in winters, keeping in mind its frost tolerance of -1.7° C (28.94° F). Portulacaria afra variegata belongs to the hardiness zone of 10a to 11b.
Light
Rainbow Bush plants need full to partial sun exposure. If planted outdoors, place this variety in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight. If indoors, plant next to a sunny window.
Propagation
The plant can be propagated through stem cuttings during the summer and the spring season. Cut out the stems, let them dry for a few days, then dip them in moist soil. The stems will root between 1 to 3 weeks.
Portulacaria afra variegata 'Rainbow Bush' is a tall-growing and sprawling succulent that is flexible in adapting to your whims and wishes about how you would like to grow and nurture your succulent. These plants feature multi colors, making them irresistible.
Bloom Season
Flower Color
Growth Rate
Hardiness Zone
Mature Size
Plant Type
Resistance
Sun Exposure
Watering Needs
| Bloom Season | Late springearly summer |
|---|---|
| Bloom Season | Late summer, early fall |
| Botanical Name | Portulacaria afra |
| Common Name | Rainbow bush |
| Common Name | Variegated Elephant Bush |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Family | Didiereaceae |
| Flower Color | Lavender pink |
| Flower Color | Pink, white |
| Genus | Portulacaria |
| Growth Habit | Shrub bush |
| Growth Habit | Trailing, hanging |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Growth Rate | Slow growth |
| Hardiness Zone | 10a to 11b |
| Hardiness Zone | 9, 10, 11 |
| Mature Size | 10 feet |
| Mature Size | 12 ft. tall, 6 in. wide |
| Native Area | South africa |
| Plant Type | Perennial succulent |
| Propagation | By stem cuttings, divisions |
| Resistance | 1.7° c |
| Resistance | Extremely drought-tolerant, heat resistant, pest resistance, deer resistant |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | specialized succulent potting mix |
| Special Features | Star shaped showy flowers |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun to partial shade |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Safe for humans, friendly to dogs, friendly to cats |
| Watering Needs | Low |
Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features
| Bloom Season | Late springearly summer |
|---|---|
| Bloom Season | Late summer, early fall |
| Botanical Name | Portulacaria afra |
| Common Name | Rainbow bush |
| Common Name | Variegated Elephant Bush |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Family | Didiereaceae |
| Flower Color | Lavender pink |
| Flower Color | Pink, white |
| Genus | Portulacaria |
| Growth Habit | Shrub bush |
| Growth Habit | Trailing, hanging |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Growth Rate | Slow growth |
| Hardiness Zone | 10a to 11b |
| Hardiness Zone | 9, 10, 11 |
| Mature Size | 10 feet |
| Mature Size | 12 ft. tall, 6 in. wide |
| Native Area | South africa |
| Plant Type | Perennial succulent |
| Propagation | By stem cuttings, divisions |
| Resistance | 1.7° c |
| Resistance | Extremely drought-tolerant, heat resistant, pest resistance, deer resistant |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | specialized succulent potting mix |
| Special Features | Star shaped showy flowers |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun to partial shade |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Safe for humans, friendly to dogs, friendly to cats |
| Watering Needs | Low |
