Portulacaria afra 'Prostrata'
Portulacaria afra' 'Prostrata is a low, spreading cultivar of the elephant bush (Portulacaria afra), selected for its trailing, ground-hugging habit rather than the upright, shrubby form of the typical species. Where the ordinary spekboom grows into a tall, woody bush, this form sends out lax, semi-pendent stems that spill sideways and downward, making it a favourite for groundcover plantings, rock gardens and hanging baskets. It shares the species' small, rounded, jade-green leaves and reddish-brown stems, and it is often sold under names such as Low Spekboom and Trailing Elephant Bush.
Description
Like the parent species, P. afra 'Prostrata' carries pairs of small, fleshy, obovate leaves along slender stems that are green when young and turn glossy reddish-brown with age. The defining difference is architectural rather than in the leaves: the stems do not stiffen into an erect trunk but instead trail and cascade, rooting where they touch soil and forming a low, spreading mat or a curtain of foliage over the edge of a container. In good light the stems take on warm coppery tones and the leaves stay compact and closely spaced; in shade the growth becomes longer and more open.
The plant remains fully succulent and, like the species, can switch to CAM photosynthesis under drought stress, contributing to its excellent drought tolerance. Mature plants may produce small pinkish flowers under the right conditions, though flowering is uncommon in cultivation.
Cultivation
Care for P. afra 'Prostrata' is the same as for the parent species; see Portulacaria afra for full details. In short, give it a fast-draining, mostly mineral mix, bright light, and water only once the soil has dried, easing off in winter. It is one of the most forgiving succulents and tolerates occasional neglect far better than overwatering.
The trailing habit does bring a few special considerations. Bright light is especially important for this form: too little and the stems etiolate, stretching into thin, sparse trails that lose their neat, tumbling shape, so a sunny windowsill, bright patio or hanging position with strong light keeps growth dense and compact. The cascading stems make it an excellent choice for a hanging basket or a tall pot where the foliage can spill over the rim, and it also works well as a fast, weed-smothering groundcover in frost-free gardens. Pinching and trimming the tips encourages branching and a fuller, bushier cascade, and the trimmings root very easily. Bring plants indoors or under cover before frost, as the species is not cold-hardy.
Propagation is by stem cuttings, exactly as for the species: take a healthy trailing stem, allow the cut end to callous for a few days, then set it in a gritty mix, where it roots quickly and reliably. Because trailing stems often self-root where they rest on soil, ready-rooted layers can frequently be lifted and potted on. See also Watering, Repotting and Pests and diseases.
See also
- Portulacaria afra — the parent species
- Portulacaria — the genus overview
- Propagation - cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering