Portulacaria Afra "Spekboom" 15cmPot

Botanical Name: Portulacaria afra
Common Names: Spekboom, Elephant Bush, Pork Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant, Small Leaf Jade

📌 Product Description

Portulacaria afra, commonly known as Spekboom, is a hardy indigenous South African succulent shrub prized for its small round fleshy leaves and reddish-brown stems. This fast-growing, drought-tolerant plant is widely used in water-wise landscapes, hedging, and bonsai.

Spekboom is well known for its exceptional carbon-absorbing properties and ecological value in restoration projects. It responds extremely well to pruning, allowing it to be shaped into compact hedges, structured forms, or bonsai specimens.

A resilient, low-maintenance indigenous plant ideal for South African gardens, from coastal areas to dry inland regions.

📏 Size When Fully Grown

Height: 2 – 5 m (can be kept smaller with pruning)
Spread: 1 – 3 m
Growth Habit: Shrubby, branching succulent
Growth Rate: Fast

🌱 Best Growing Conditions

Light: Full sun to partial shade (best growth in full sun)
Soil: Well-draining sandy or loamy soil
Water:

Moderate watering during establishment
Extremely drought-tolerant once established
Avoid prolonged waterlogging

Feeding: Minimal feeding required; compost in spring if desired

Maintenance:

Prune regularly to maintain shape
Excellent for shaping and training
Very easy to propagate from cuttings

🌦️ Planting & Growing Season (South Africa)

Best Planting Time: Spring and early summer
Growing Season: Spring and summer
Flowering Season: Late winter to spring (small pale pink flowers on mature plants)
Climate Suitability: Excellent for arid, semi-arid, coastal, and temperate regions
Frost Tolerance: Tolerates light frost; protect young plants in heavy frost areas

🌼 Additional Benefits

Indigenous to South Africa
Highly drought-resistant
Excellent carbon sequestration properties
Fast-growing
Low-maintenance
Excellent for bonsai and hedging
Edible leaves (tart flavour)

🌿 Ideal Uses

✔ Indigenous gardens
✔ Water-wise landscapes
✔ Screening and hedging
✔ Bonsai cultivation
✔ Restoration projects
✔ Coastal gardens
✔ Wildlife-friendly gardens