The Elephant Bush, Portulacaria afra, is a popular and resilient succulent that is frequently grown as a houseplant or a decorative landscape shrub. This fast-growing plant naturally tends toward a sprawling habit, which means regular trimming is often necessary for cultivation. Pruning helps to maintain the plant’s intended shape, manages its overall size, and encourages the development of denser, more compact foliage. Strategic cutting promotes a bushier appearance by stimulating new growth, which is especially desirable for those cultivating it for a miniature tree or bonsai aesthetic.
Essential Preparation and Timing
The most advantageous time for making significant cuts is during the active growing season, typically mid-to-late spring. This timing allows the plant to heal quickly and immediately push out new growth. Light maintenance trimming, however, can be performed throughout the year.
Before pruning, gather sharp, clean tools, such as specialized succulent snips or bypass shears. Sterilize the cutting blades using a solution of isopropyl alcohol (at least 70% concentration). Wiping the tools between cuts reduces the risk of transmitting plant pathogens and ensures a smooth cut, allowing the wound to seal efficiently.
Trimming for Health and Structure
Functional trimming focuses on removing wood that compromises the plant’s health. Systematically remove any dead, diseased, or visibly damaged branches, which are often shriveled or discolored. Eliminating this material directs the plant’s energy toward healthy growth instead of attempting to repair compromised tissue.
The Elephant Bush may develop “leggy” growth, characterized by long, sparse stems, usually due to insufficient light. To address this, cut the elongated stem back just above a healthy leaf joint or node. This action forces dormant buds to activate, resulting in new, shorter branches that contribute to a fuller shape. Also, removing interior stems that are growing inward or crossing over others helps thin the center, improving air circulation and light penetration.
Techniques for Shaping and Size Control
Intentional cuts define the plant’s aesthetic form, whether aiming for a dense shrub or a miniature tree design. A common technique for encouraging side branching is “pinch pruning,” which involves removing the soft, new growth at the tip of a stem. This action interrupts the flow of growth hormones, causing the plant to branch out below the cut.
When shaping, locate a leaf node facing the direction you want the new branch to grow. Make a clean cut just a few millimeters above this selected node, as the dormant buds will be the source of subsequent growth. For reducing size or height, never remove more than one-third of the plant’s total mass in a single session. Gradual reduction is preferable to severe cutting, which can shock the plant and slow recovery.
Propagating New Plants from Cuttings
The stem pieces removed during trimming can be repurposed to grow new Elephant Bush plants. This resilient succulent readily roots from stem cuttings. Select healthy cuttings that are at least two to three inches long and contain a few pairs of leaves.
Before planting, allow the severed end of the cutting to “callus” or air-dry for approximately two to seven days. This period allows a protective, cork-like layer to form over the wound, preventing fungal pathogens and subsequent rot. Once the cut end has dried and hardened, insert the callused stem into a pot filled with a well-draining succulent or cactus mix. New roots typically develop from the nodes within a few weeks, establishing a new plant.