Elephant's Food
Portulacaria afra
A dense, shrubby South African succulent with tiny round leaves that makes an excellent informal hedge or security barrier.
Frost sensitive, hardy to about 30°F, USDA 9-11; a tender low-desert succulent shrub.
AMWUA Notes
Low-water, easily pruned succulent shrub that makes a water-thrifty hedge.
Care Guide
Water every 2-3 weeks in summer and monthly or less in winter; drought tolerant and rot-prone if overwatered.
Prune freely to shape as a hedge or bonsai-like form; cuttings root readily and it tolerates hard cutbacks.
Light spring feeding optional; it thrives in lean soil.
Largely pest-free; watch for occasional mealybugs.
Frost-tender below 30°F—protect in freezes; evergreen and dense the rest of the year.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Fast-draining gritty mineral soil or decomposed granite; low organic matter
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
Low feeder.
Stem cuttings (root readily)
4-5 ft
Shallow, non-invasive roots; soft, spineless and pool-safe
Placement Tips
- •Use as an informal hedge, security screen or container plant.
- •Soft, spineless and pool-safe.
- •Give it 5 ft of room.
- •Plant in fast-draining soil; full sun keeps it dense.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Elephant's Food. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Elephant's Food — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Elephant's Food need in Phoenix?
Elephant's Food is a very low-water succulent once established. Water every 2-3 weeks in summer and monthly or less in winter; drought tolerant and rot-prone if overwatered. Low-water, easily pruned succulent shrub that makes a water-thrifty hedge.
How big does Elephant's Food get?
Expect roughly 3 ft tall and 5 ft wide at maturity, with a slow growth rate. Allow about 4-5 ft of spacing when planting. Shallow, non-invasive roots; soft, spineless and pool-safe.
Can you plant Elephant's Food near a pool?
Yes. Elephant's Food is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Elephant's Food handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Elephant's Food is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Frost sensitive, hardy to about 30°F, USDA 9-11; a tender low-desert succulent shrub. Frost-tender below 30°F—protect in freezes; evergreen and dense the rest of the year.
Does Elephant's Food have thorns?
No. Elephant's Food is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Elephant's Food safe around pets?
Elephant's Food is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Elephant's Food bloom in Arizona?
Elephant's Food blooms in spring-summer, with white flowers.
How much maintenance does Elephant's Food need?
Elephant's Food is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Prune freely to shape as a hedge or bonsai-like form; cuttings root readily and it tolerates hard cutbacks.
What kind of soil does Elephant's Food need?
Fast-draining gritty mineral soil or decomposed granite; low organic matter. Nutrient needs are low. Light spring feeding optional; it thrives in lean soil.
Is Elephant's Food native to Arizona?
No. Elephant's Food is not an Arizona native; it originates from the South Africa, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.