Too much water = root rot. Elsa says: November 6, 2018 at … As an indoor plant, its fleshy green leaves, red stems and tendency to form a sculptural bush, make Spekboom a visual delight. It can survive well in drought, but it won't grow as much, and the bigger your Spekboom, the more carbon it will absorb. The water retention makes the tree limbs heavy which naturally bends the trunk and branches. How often should I water my Spekboom? If you sometimes forget to water your houseplants, or you are away from home often, it might be just the right houseplant for you. Spekboom has a photosynthetic mechanism which allows it to adapt to all weather conditions so it can survive extreme conditions – from drought to frost. 3°C). Giving them a big sip of water … Positive: On Mar 30, 2009, ffeeddee wrote: I have some plants of Portulacaria afra in pots, all from a small twig I took from a big plant 20 years ago. Elephant bush, Portulacaria afra, is a perennial succulent shrub from South Africa that is a popular succulent garden plant around the world.It is easily grown as a seasonal accent plant or low maintenance houseplant in our part of the world. Water thoroughly and only when the soil is dry. Reply. Dwarf jade is a succulent with small, thick, glossy leaves and burgundy-red stems. They thrive without problems under the full sun of italian summer (up to 40° C), in winter protect them in a closed patio south facing (min. Succulents store water not only in their roots but also in their leaves & stems. How often should you water a Spekboom? It is also an excellent soil binding plant that prevents soil erosion. As a Houseplant. When your succulent needs more water, the leaves will shrivel up and the stem will wilt. My response to water shortage! temp. Today I am starting on the rest-of-my-life with Spekboom! Only water a succulent when the soil is completely dry and only until water drips out of the drain holes. It stores water in its trunk and leaves so it can survive without regular watering. When you’re watching for signs the succulent is over- or under-watered, keep an eye on those stems. The soil should be damp, don't get it too wet, or let it go bone dry. Remember that it stores water primarily in its trunk, rather than the leaves. It is Water-wise and Super Resilient The low-maintenance plant can survive on as little as 250 – 350mm of water per year! I am looking forward to using it for indoor “flower arrangements”, along with adding it to salads etc etc So excited! Thank you for all the tips on growing this amazing plant. Keep an eye on their leaves, because if they are turning yellow, it means you are not watering properly. If all of this wasn’t enough to inspire your love for Spekboom, it is also a highly water-wise plant, needing up to half the water of other plants to survive, meaning its not only easy to grow but also easy for those living in areas suffering from droughts or water shortages to care for. If yours is a houseplant, using all a good quality succulent & cactus mix is just fine. Do not use cut-paste on Jade trees. I now make my own mix but recommend any of the mixes listed right below if you can’t find 1 locally or don’t want to make your own. The water needs to drain out the bottom so poinsettias won't sit in water. The nature of its trunk and branches make it very susceptible to rotting. Over watering poinsettias could result in fungal diseases and root rot. It responds very well to pruning, and you should prune it regularly to force it to grow branches, especially in the lower part of the trunk. You should water lightly once to twice a week. DISCLAIMER. 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