Photo: Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Houseplant
Elephant bush: when and how to prune
Portulacaria afra
Elephant bush is best pruned in April–July.
| Pruning months | April–July |
|---|
Elephant bush: when to prune it?
From April to July inclusive, in the growing season: it recovers fastest in warmth and plenty of light.
What else to prune in those months? April · May · June · July
Elephant bush: how to prune it?
- Cut stems back to just above a few leaves or a node with clean, sharp scissors: it usually regrows with two new shoots.
- Pinch out young tips for a compact, dense shape.
- Remove dead or floppy stems and crossing branches at the base.
- For a little tree or bonsai, clear the trunk and keep the crown in shape.
- Use the cut-off twigs as cuttings.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: April–July.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- A houseplant lives indoors, so wildlife hardly notices the pruning. Healthy clippings can go on the compost.
Caution: Do not prune in winter: the plant hardly grows then and the cut heals slowly.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Elephant bush · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.