Portulacaria afra variegata goes by the common name “Rainbow Bush”. With a heavily branched, shrubby growth habit, the species has extraordinarily thick stems with teardrop-shaped leaf edges. The plant has its origin in South Africa and belongs to the family of Didiereaceae. Rainbow Bush offers a dormancy of winters and can grow up to 10 feet in height. Growth Rate This interesting plant takes time to mature and hence, grows at a slower pace. Its growing conditions play a huge role in determining its pace of growth. Flowering Portulacaria afra is noted for its lavender pink-colored flowers that bloom between late spring till the onset of early summer. Watering and Feeding During the dormancy period in winter, practice less frequent watering. Soil Rainbow Bush succulent needs well-drained soil and a soil mix that ensures the excess moisture evaporates at the earliest. For feeding, use low nitrogen or a basic houseplant fertilizer every 6-8 weeks between fall and spring. Hardiness This houseplant grows best in winters, keeping in mind its frost tolerance of -1.7° C (28.94° F). Portulacaria afra variegata belongs to the hardiness zone of 10a to 11b. Light Rainbow Bush plants need full to partial sun exposure. If planted outdoors, place this variety in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight. If indoors, plant next to a sunny window. Propagation The plant can be propagated through stem cuttings during the summer and the spring season. Cut out the stems, let them dry for a few days, then dip them in moist soil. The stems will root between 1 to 3 weeks. Portulacaria afra variegata 'Rainbow Bush' is a tall-growing and sprawling succulent that is flexible in adapting to your whims and wishes about how you would like to grow and nurture your succulent. These plants feature multi colors, making them irresistible.
