Portulacaria afra, common names- Elephant’s Food, Elephant Bush, dwarf jade, porkbush or spekboom. Drought tolerant, low maintenance houseplant. Edible high in Vitamin C, some people use this for juicing, can be eaten cooked or raw. Perfect to add to many gardens and landscapes. From South Africa. Similar in appearance to the Unrelated “jade plant” BUT Jade plant is NOT edible, not the same family. This is NOT a Purslane (Portulaca oleracea). “Spekboom” (known popularly as “Elephant Bush”)
#foodforest #gardening #growfood
26 Comments
Reminds me of the weed purslane, extremely delicious, even when eaten raw which geminates here in the NE by mid-summer zone 6B
Thanks! Great info. I'll try it! So appreciate your wonderful channel!
I'd like to see a video on how you eat this. I have a small one as a houseplant. I never thought of it as a food source.
You should sell some cuttings, I would buy some as others would too
That is amazing, that the plant retains a lot of water. Sounds like it is a great one to have in the garden 😊
I have a huge plant in a piece of ground (a dividing strip between myself and a neighbour) and I have mixed feelings about it. It's a great windbreak (the trunk is pretty thick) but it can be quite invasive,every time I prune a piece and drop it on the ground (chop and drop) it takes root and I don't like it that much – maybe I need to invite an elephant round for a snack : ) I just tasted a leaf and yes I too thought it tasted a bit lemony. I really would be interested to know how Garry prepares it – maybe a new taste sensation : ) An aside : did you ever tell us how you cook egg plant? because as of forever I still don't like it (and coriander/cilantro).
Where did you but this plant? Does it tolerate cooler climates?
Great info! I’m in so cal too out in Riverside. I’m going to find this plant. It looks like they will be a great fence line bush too which I’ve been looking for, but have horses and need to be wary of toxic plants. I’ve also planted a Moringa tree which is doing well so I’ll plant more. They are also edible (leaves and flowers) with tons of good vitamins and is high in protein. It’s drought tolerant too. And pretty blooms of white flowers.
Is this plant the Jade Tree sold in nursery stores and sometimes in big box store plant areas? Here, it would be a house plant. Which I have grown but the cats ate! (And did not harm the cats!)
This was great in outdoor pots in summer in New England, no pests, no problems, no great need for watering. Bring in in late Fall.
What zone is elephant bush tolerant to? Can i grow it in zone 6
Great video, thanks for your knowledge.
Now I've heard that the Jade version of this plant is NOT edible. How do you tell the difference between the two? I have this plant growing in my yard, but I'm not sure if I should go over and take a bite out of it or not.
I bought one from home depot but its really small compared to these… it looks nothing like a bush. I'm going to cut and replant them if they get too big and suffocate the other plants though…. how long does it take to grow
Hey Robbie I found Elephant Bush at my Home Depot the next day after watching this video! I have 10 Master plants..and I've been propagating it like crazy. I've had only a couple cuttings..that for some reason didnt take. I do cut 5" to 7" pieces, did them in a rooting hormone, and allow the end to heal for about 48 hours, then place in a nice potting soil. I do use a potting soil that contains a lot of vermiculite, and container with good drainage.. I keep the soil very lightly moist for it's first 30 day. Then I allow it dry slightly between watering. I've given away over 200 cuttings!
Thank you Robbie & Gary for awesome inspiring videos!
I was happy to see this today. I grow this plant around my property and have great luck with it. I did not know it could be eaten. In fact I was just planting some this morning, as I also grow it to sell and have a show coming up. It has had to tolerate harsh conditions here in the AZ desert, but it grows like a champ. 2 years ago we had a freak storm in late December with extreme hail. All of the leaves got pounded and pitted and I thought it would not recover. It did. Every single leaf healed itself. That said a lot about this plant too. Wow!
I'm working on my depression and anxiety so I decided to start a container garden on my porch. I don't know much about plants but I got a 2 inch elephant plant to start with because it looked hardy and not overwhelming. It's grown so pretty and it brings me so much joy. I just found out it's a great food for my tortoise too. Thank you for your videos. I feel so much more confidence.
Sell mi one please
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I recently planted one of these 2 feet away from the side of my house (foundation). It's about 3-4 feet high. Should I move it farther away from the house? I'm worried if it grows larger the roots could damage my foundation.
(Los Angeles here) I was looking for what this weed was in my front and back yard. Now I have an idea. It has taken over my back yard by the fence and I cut it back tremendously, but grows back real quick. Finding out that it might be edible is interesting, but looking at your comment, I'm not sure if it is a Jade Plant or an Elephant's Bush.
You should post the link to how to cook it in the description.
This could literally save my sons and I's lives, as dirt poor as we are, because of the current times, here in the southern most tip of Nevada, in the Mojave desert. Wishful thinking I guess.
There are very few sellers on Etsy that sells this… I would totally buy from you!
Sure you are already, but if not, grow Moringa!!! They're really hardy, and the nutrition profile is out of this world!!
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Thank you much appreciated info 👍❤🙏☮🇺🇲🌏🌎🌍🇺🇲