About
A slow-growing, evergreen succulent shrub with small, rounded fleshy green leaves with a creamy-white stripe in the middle, carried on upright reddish-pink stems. Small clusters of star-shaped pale pink flowers appear at the end of the stems in summer. The foliage can become almost white all over. Makes an attractive houseplant and will perform well in a bright, warm room.
About the genus
Portulacaria are shrubby succulents with fleshy stems, branches and leaves. Inconspicuous flowers are produced in small clusters
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent, Houseplants
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Sub-tropical, Houseplants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in very well-drained compost, such as cactus compost, in bright but indirect light. Water well between mid-spring and mid-autumn; barely at all at other times. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationRoot sections of stem in spring with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free