Rainbow Bush Info: How To Grow A Variegated Elephant Bush

Also known as variegated elephant bush or rainbow portulacaria plant, rainbow elephant bush (Portulacaria afra 'Variegata') is a shrubby succulent with mahogany stems and fleshy, green and creamy white foliage. Clusters of small, lavender-pink blooms may appear at branch tips. A cultivar with solid-colored leaves is also available and known simply as elephant bush.

Rainbow Bush Info

The elephant bush, native to Africa, is so named because elephants love to eat it. Rainbow portulacaria plant is a warm-weather plant, suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. For this reason, it is usually grown as an indoor plant. In its natural environment, variegated elephant bush can reach heights of up to 20 feet (6 m.). However, this slow-growing plant is usually limited to 10 feet (3 m.) or less in the home garden. You can control the size even further by growing rainbow elephant bush in a small container.

Rainbow Bush Care

Place variegated elephant bush in indirect sunlight. Intense light can scorch the leaves and cause them to drop from the plant. The plant should be warm and protected from drafts. Be sure the container has adequate drain holes. Overwatering and poorly drained soil are the most common causes of death for rainbow portulacaria plants. An unglazed pot is preferable because it allows excess moisture to evaporate. Fill the container with a potting soil for cacti and succulents, or use a combination of half regular potting soil and half sand, vermiculite, or other gritty material. Water the plant regularly from April to October, but never overwater. In general, it’s best to withhold water while the plant is dormant during the winter months, although you can water very sparingly if the leaves look shriveled. Fertilize rainbow elephant bush in late winter or early spring, using an indoor plant fertilizer diluted to half strength.