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Products > Portulacaria afra   Portulacaria afra - Elephant's Food     Habit and Cultural Information Category: Succulent Family: Portulacaceae (Purslanes) Origin: South Africa (Africa) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Lavender Bloomtime: Summer Height: 8-12 feet Width: 4-6 feet Exposure: Sun or Shade Drought Tolerant: Yes Irrigation Req.: Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F Portulacaria afra (Elephant's Food) - An upright growing plant (8-12 feet tall) with reddish brown stems and 1/2 long emerald green leaves. Looks a little like a "dwarf" jade plant. This plant really needs drier conditions than Southern Caliornia has to produce flowers but if it is a dry winter and plants are not irrigated it can produce tiny pale lavender flowers in summer. Sun or shade. Makes a great drought tolerant foundation plant. Can be kept almost any size with pruning.  The description above is based on our research and observations of this plant growing in our nursery and in our own and other Santa Barbara gardens. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information or disagrees with what we have written.     [MORE INFO]