Caring for your bonsai!
Are you an overly anxious plant parent? Don’t worry! The Vaughnsai team is here to help with your most common questions about plant care.
And if you see signs of your plant being unhappy, let us know! We love to help bring them back to full vibrance
Pruning
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Watering
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Sunlight
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Fertilizing
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Repotting
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Pruning • Watering • Sunlight • Fertilizing • Repotting •
Portulacaria Afra (Elephant Bush)
Originally from the dry regions of South Africa, the Elephant Bush is a fleshy, soft, woody small tree that grows up to 3m (15ft.) It has a thick trunk, but a fine branch structure with thick green oval-shaped succulent leaves.
Placement & Sunlight
Indoors/Outdoors: Full or partial sun is good for growth. 2+ hours a day minimum. 6+ hours a day for full growth.
Indirect light ialso works as long as it’s getting some direct during the day as well.
Temperatures: This species can go down to 30 F in a bonsai pot. We recommend bringing them indoors if temperatures drop below 40 F, just in case. Especially with younger trees.
DON’T: Place them in a dark area that gets no light!
Watering
This species is drought-tolerant. That means it likes to be dry!
Water them infrequently, and deeply. Watch for the leaves to start to wrinkle and get soft, and then water the soil around the tree completely until a little water runs through the bottom of the pot drain holes. Then leave it again until the leaves wrinkle.
Spring & Summer: Frequency will increase depending on humidity, seasonal temperatures, etc. Watch the leaves and simply water as needed. At most you will likely be watering them once a week if its very hot and dry.
Winter: This species will only need to be watered once a month.
Fertilizing
Spring & Summer: Use a balanced fertilizer (3-3-3, granulated recommended), every 2-4 weeks to encourage growth.
Winter: Avoid fertilizing during the winter to prevent root damage on any dormant roots.
More care info coming soon!
