Botanical Name: Portulacaria afra ‘Medio-picta’
Common Names: Variegated Elephant Bush, Rainbow Elephant Bush, Variegated Spekboom
Portulacaria afra ‘Medio-picta’ is a colorful, easy-care succulent prized for its creamy yellow and green variegated leaves accented by soft pink tones on the stems, especially in bright light. Native to the dry, rocky scrublands of South Africa, this cultivar shares the species' resilience while offering a brighter, more ornamental appearance. It grows with a compact, branching habit and can be trained as a small shrub, houseplant, or bonsai-style specimen. In cultivation, it typically reaches 2–4 feet tall, remaining smaller and more manageable in containers, making it ideal for indoor growing or warm outdoor settings.
Care and Cultivation:
Bright light to full sun for best variegation and color
Well-draining cactus or succulent soil
Water sparingly; allow soil to dry between waterings
Low maintenance and beginner-friendly
Frost Tolerance and Cold Hardiness:
Hardy in USDA zones 9–11
Tolerates light frost once established
Root hardy to approximately 25°F (-3.9°C)
Protect from prolonged freezing and cold, wet conditions
Winter Dormancy and Health:
Enters dormant or semi-dormant state in winter
Growth slows significantly
Reduce watering drastically or stop entirely during cool months
Keeping soil dry in winter helps prevent root rot
Botanical Name: Portulacaria afra ‘Medio-picta’
Common Names: Variegated Elephant Bush, Rainbow Elephant Bush, Variegated Spekboom
Portulacaria afra ‘Medio-picta’ is a colorful, easy-care succulent prized for its creamy yellow and green variegated leaves accented by soft pink tones on the stems, especially in bright light. Native to the dry, rocky scrublands of South Africa, this cultivar shares the species' resilience while offering a brighter, more ornamental appearance. It grows with a compact, branching habit and can be trained as a small shrub, houseplant, or bonsai-style specimen. In cultivation, it typically reaches 2–4 feet tall, remaining smaller and more manageable in containers, making it ideal for indoor growing or warm outdoor settings.
Care and Cultivation:
Bright light to full sun for best variegation and color
Well-draining cactus or succulent soil
Water sparingly; allow soil to dry between waterings
Low maintenance and beginner-friendly
Frost Tolerance and Cold Hardiness:
Hardy in USDA zones 9–11
Tolerates light frost once established
Root hardy to approximately 25°F (-3.9°C)
Protect from prolonged freezing and cold, wet conditions
Winter Dormancy and Health:
Enters dormant or semi-dormant state in winter
Growth slows significantly
Reduce watering drastically or stop entirely during cool months
Keeping soil dry in winter helps prevent root rot
