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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Didiereaceae |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Yellow/Chartreuse Foliage: Yes |
| Variegated Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: Lavender |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 3-4 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Portulacaria afra 'Aurea' (Yellow Rainbow Bush, Yellow Elephant Food) A slow growing sprawling succulent shrub which starts growing as a groundcover with older stems turning upward. It has attractive reddish-brown stems and pale yellow to light green 3/4 inch long rounded leaves – leaves emerge bright yellow and turn lime green with age. As with the species, this plant should prove to be a very easy to grow succulent that works as a great bonsai plant, hanging basket or a ground cover in near frost free climates. The lavender-pink flowers are rarely seen even on the green leaf forms, so we doubted that this yellow form would ever flower but during California's prolonged drought it has proven us wrong with the pink flowers really standing out against the yellow foliage! Plant in full sun to light shade and irrigate little if at all. We have not had this plant through a cold enough winter to test hardiness but likely it should have about the same hardiness as the other Portulacaria we grow which tolerate temperatures down to at least 25° F. For more information on the species see our listing for Portulacaria afra. We also grow Portulacaria afra 'Prostrate Form another prostrate plant but with all green foliage, Portulacaria afra 'Skyscraper' a narrow upright form, Portulacaria afra 'Cork Bark', a corky bark form great for bonsai use, Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' an upright plant with white variegated leaves, Portulacaria afra forma macrophylla , a large leafed form and Portulacaria afra 'Medio-picta' a stunning low growing plant with pink stems and leaves that have a wide central cream stripe. All are great drought tolerant plants useful in the landscape or as container specimens. We thank our customer, local Santa Barbara gardener David Johnson, for sharing this plant with us.
The information on this page is based on our library and online research as well as observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We have also incorporated comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Portulacaria afra 'Aurea'.
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