Portulacaria afra, commonly known as Elephant Bush, Spekboom, or Dwarf Jade, is a resilient succulent shrub native to South Africa. This plant is prized in horticulture for its adaptability, with its small, fleshy leaves and woody stems making it a popular choice for bonsai and indoor gardening. Propagating Portulacaria afra from stem cuttings is a highly successful and straightforward method, offering a simple way to multiply the plant.
Selecting and Preparing Stem Cuttings
Choose a healthy segment from the parent plant, ideally during the growing season in spring or summer. Select a stem cutting that is firm and mature, avoiding soft, new growth at the tips, which can be more susceptible to rot. A cutting approximately 4 to 6 inches long is recommended, ensuring it has several leaves and at least two or three leaf nodes.
Use a clean, sterilized knife or sharp pruning shears to make a precise cut just below a leaf node, as this is the area where root development is naturally concentrated. After the cut is made, remove the lower few leaves to expose the nodes, leaving a bare stem portion that will be inserted into the soil. This prevents the leaves from being buried and rotting, which could introduce pathogens to the cutting.
Before planting, allow the fresh wound to dry out completely. Place the cuttings in a bright, shaded location away from direct sun for about two to seven days, depending on the humidity of the environment. This drying period allows a protective layer of tissue, or callus, to form over the cut end. The callus acts as a physical barrier against soil-borne fungi and bacteria, which is a common cause of failure in succulent propagation.
Choosing the Right Growing Medium
The growing medium must prioritize excellent drainage. A standard potting soil will retain too much moisture and should be amended or replaced with a specialized succulent or cactus mix. A custom blend often consists of combining regular potting soil with coarse inorganic materials like perlite, pumice, or coarse sand in a one-to-one ratio.
Cuttings can be placed in a shallow pot or tray, which helps to limit excess soil volume that might hold unnecessary moisture. Rooting hormone is optional, as Portulacaria afra roots readily without it. Insert the bottom inch or two of the bare stem directly into the prepared medium and gently tamp the soil around the base to hold the cutting upright. Burying the stem slightly helps anchor the plant and encourages the forming roots to seek moisture deeper within the container.
Care for Newly Planted Cuttings
Place the pot in a location that receives bright, indirect light. Direct, intense sunlight should be avoided during the rooting phase because the cutting, lacking a functional root system, cannot absorb enough water to prevent sunburn and desiccation.
Do not water the medium immediately after planting; wait for approximately one week to ten days, or until the first sign of new growth appears. When you water, apply just enough moisture to slightly dampen the soil, then allow it to dry out completely before watering again. Maintaining a warm temperature, ideally between 68°F and 77°F, will also accelerate the rooting process.
Rooting generally occurs within two to three weeks. One reliable method to check for root development is the “gentle tug test,” where a slight resistance indicates that fine new roots have begun to anchor the cutting to the soil. The most definitive confirmation, however, is the appearance of fresh, plump leaves or new stem growth at the tip of the cutting. Once rooted, the young plant can be gradually acclimated to a regular succulent care routine, including brighter light and a more consistent, though still infrequent, watering schedule.