Portulacaria Afra "Spekboom" 10Liter

🌿 Spekboom

Botanical Name: Portulacaria afra
Common Names: Spekboom, Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant, Porkbush

📌 Product Description

Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) is a hardy, indigenous South African succulent shrub known for its small, round, glossy green leaves and reddish-brown stems. Highly drought-tolerant and easy to grow, it is widely valued for water-wise gardens, hedging, bonsai, and groundcover applications.

This versatile plant is not only ornamental but also environmentally beneficial, as it is well-known for its excellent carbon-absorbing properties. Spekboom thrives in a wide range of South African climates and requires minimal maintenance once established.

📏 Size When Fully Grown

• Height: approx. 2 – 5 m (can be pruned smaller)
• Spread: approx. 1 – 3 m
• Growth Habit: Spreading, shrubby, succulent
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

🌱 Best Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun to partial shade (best growth in full sun)
• Soil: Well-drained soil; thrives in sandy or rocky soils
• Water:
  • Low water requirements
  • Water moderately when young
  • Highly drought-tolerant once established
  • Avoid waterlogged conditions
• Feeding: Minimal feeding required; light fertiliser in spring if desired
• Maintenance:
  • Prune to shape or maintain as hedge
  • Easily propagated from cuttings

🌦️ Planting & Growing Season (South Africa)

• Best Planting Time: Spring to early summer (September – November)
• Growing Season: Active growth in warmer months
• Climate Suitability: Ideal for arid, semi-arid, coastal, and temperate regions
• Frost Tolerance: Tolerates light frost; protect in severe frost areas

🌼 Additional Benefits

• Indigenous and eco-friendly
• Extremely drought-tolerant
• Excellent for water-wise (xeriscape) gardens
• Suitable for hedges, bonsai, or groundcover
• Low-maintenance and hardy

🌿 Ideal Uses

✔ Water-wise and indigenous gardens
✔ Hedges and screening
✔ Bonsai cultivation
✔ Groundcover or erosion control
✔ Container planting