๐ฐ Portulacria Money Tree | The Complete Guide to Growing and Care
๐ Quick summary - everything you need to know at a glance
Full to partial sun
At least 3-6 hours
Very little
Once every 2-3 weeks
Very easy!
Almost impossible to kill
Succulent
Fleshy, water-storing
30-60 cm in a pot
Up to 3-5 m in nature
Non-toxic!
Safe to live
๐ฑ Introduction to the portulacaria
Naming and identification
- Hebrew name: Portulacria, money tree, tree of abundance, African legume
- Scientific name: Portulacaria afra
- English names: Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade, Spekboom
- Family: Portulacaceae / Didyma
- Type: Perennial succulent shrub
Origin and background
It originates from South Africa , where it grows in dry, hot areas. It is called the "elephant bush" because it makes up 80% of the diet of elephants in its natural environment!
Unique features
- ๐ฐ Coin-shaped leaves: round and fleshy
- ๐ด Reddish stems: a special appearance
- ๐ช Extremely durable: survives extreme dryness
- ๐ณ Perfect for bonsai: easy to shape
- ๐ "Carbon sponge": absorbs CO2 effectively!
- ๐ฅ Edible: The leaves are eaten in South Africa
Why the "Money Tree"?
The round leaves look like small coins , and the thick trunk symbolizes stability = abundance and wealth according to Feng Shui!
โ ๏ธ Attention! Two different "money trees"
๐ฟ Portulacaria (this is this guide!)
Portulacaria afra
- โ Succulent from South Africa
- โ Small, round leaves
- โ Reddish-brown breed
- โ Requires full sun
- โ Very little watering
- โ Popular for bonsai in Israel
๐ด Pachira (another money tree)
Pachira aquatica
- Tropical plant from America
- Large palm-shaped leaves
- Braided trunk (man-made)
- Requires indirect light
- More regular watering
- Popular in the US and Asia
In Israel, when they say "money tree" - they usually mean portulaca!
โจ Why choose Portolcaria?
Extremely durable
Surviving neglect
Sun-loving
Perfect for Israel
Little irrigation
Once every 2-3 weeks
Perfect bonsai
Easy to design
Symbol of abundance
Feng Shui
Environmentally friendly
Carbon adsorbent
๐จ Popular Varieties and Types
๐ฟ Common portulaca
Portulacaria afra
- Dark green leaves
- The most common
- Highly heat resistant
- Upright growth
๐ Diverse Portulaca
P. afra 'Variegata'
- Cream-green leaves
- Pinkish margins
- Requires more light
- More sensitive
๐ Creeping Portulaca
P. afra 'Prostrata'
- Horizontal growth
- Suitable for hanging
- Ground cover
- Long stems
๐ฆฃ Huge Portulacaria
'Mammoth'
- Leaves twice as large
- Thicker stem
- More rare
๐ฎ Dwarf Portulaca
'Minima' / 'Lilliput'
- Tiny leaves
- Very compact
- Perfect for bonsai
๐ Rainbow / Manny
arch
- Wavy leaves
- White stripes
- Unique appearance
๐ค๏ธ Detailed growing conditions
โ๏ธ Light - critical!
Portulacria needs a lot of sun! This is the most important condition.
- โ Ideal: Full sun - 6+ hours per day
- โ Minimum: 4-6 hours of direct sunlight
- ๐ At home: South or west window
- ๐ณ Outside: full sun all day - perfect!
- โ ๏ธ Lack of light: the leaves will fall off, the plant will weaken
๐ง Irrigation - less is more!
Portulacria succulent - the leaves, trunk and branches store water!
Important principles:
- โ Water only when the soil is completely dry
- โ Usually once every 2-3 weeks
- โ When watering - water thoroughly
- โ Let drain well
- โ Do not leave in standing water!
- โ Excess water = root rot
Once a week or two
Once a month or less!
(not even at all)
๐ก๏ธ Temperature
Portulacria loves heat! Very suitable for the Israeli climate.
18-30ยฐC and above
Up to extreme temperatures
40ยฐC+
Below 5ยฐC
Frost = serious damage!
โ ๏ธ In winter in cold mountains or valleys: bring indoors or protect from frost!
๐ Land
- โ Excellent drainage - most important!
- โ Succulent/cactus mix
- โ You can add perlite or coarse sand
- โ Hamra soil - excellent
- โ Not heavy soil that holds water
Recommended mixture: cactus soil + perlite (2:1)
๐ Portulaca as a bonsai
Portulaca is one of the best bonsai plants for beginners!
โจ Why is it great for bonsai?
- โ Forgives mistakes
- โ Survives in a small pot
- โ Stem thickens nicely
- โ Responds well to pruning
- โ Easy to style with threads
- โ Live for decades!
โ๏ธ Design tips
- Prune a pair of leaves = 2 new branches
- Prune young branches for decoration
- You can wrap it with wire in the direction
- Frequent pruning = dense foliage
- Copy every 2-3 years
- Best time: Summer (above 25ยฐC)
๐งช Fertilization
Portulacria does not require much fertilization - it is modest in its requirements.
Once a month
Growing season
Do not fertilize
rest
Fertilizer type:
- โ Fertilizer for succulents/cacti
- โ Dilute to half the recommended concentration
- โ Or diluted balanced fertilizer
โ๏ธ Pruning
Portulaca responds great to pruning! Regular pruning maintains a beautiful shape.
- โ Prune in any season (preferably spring)
- โ Prune branches to encourage branching
- โ Remove dry or weak branches
- โ Design to your taste
- โ Save the cuttings for propagation!
๐ฑ Propagation - very easy!
Portulaca is one of the easiest succulents to propagate!
โ๏ธ Multiple cuttings (the recommended method)
- Pick a healthy branch (5-10 cm)
- Let dry for 1-2 days (creating a "crust")
- Plant in dry/slightly moist soil
- Wait a week or two before watering for the first time.
- Keep in diffused light (not strong direct sunlight)
- Implantation: 4-6 weeks
Success rate: Very high - almost impossible to fail!
๐ง Common problems and solutions
๐ Leaf fall
The most common reason:
- Lack of light! (Most common)
- Excess water
- Extreme cold
Solution: Put it out in full sun - the leaves will regenerate within weeks!
๐ฆ Soft/rotten stem
Reason:
- Excess water/root rot
Solution: Stop watering. Cut off rotten parts. Replant in dry soil. Take healthy cuttings for backup!
๐ฅ Wrinkled leaves
Reason:
- Lack of water
Solution: This is actually good! This is the sign to water. Water and the leaves will fill out within a day or two.
๐ Long and thin plant
Reason:
- Lack of light
Solution: Move to full sun. Prune to encourage dense growth.
๐ Pests (rare!)
Portulaca is very resistant to pests, but sometimes:
Woolly white spots.
Solution: Alcohol/Potassium Soap
Emit sticky substance.
Solution: Wipe with alcohol
โฏ๏ธ Feng Shui and uses
๐ฐ Symbolism
- Round leaves = silver coins
- Thick trunk = economic stability
- Many leaves = abundance and wealth
- A popular gift for a house/business inauguration
๐ฟ Uses
- Home bonsai
- Potted plant for home/office
- Rock gardens
- Ground cover (creeping variety)
- Hanging flower pot
- A gift with meaning
โ Frequently Asked Questions
In 90% of cases, the cause is lack of light! Move to full sun and the leaves will regenerate. Other causes: excess water or cold.
Once every 2-3 weeks in the summer, once a month or less in the winter. The rule: water only when the soil is completely dry. Better too little than too much!
Yes, but only near a window with direct sunlight! A southern or western window. If there is not enough light - the leaves will fall off and the plant will weaken.
They look similar but are different! Portulaca: smaller leaves, reddish stems, requires more sun. Crassula: thicker leaves, green/brown stems, tolerates less light.
Decades! With proper basic care, it can accompany you for a very long time.
๐ Summary table
| category | Details |
|---|---|
| โ๏ธ Light | Full sun (4-6+ hours) |
| ๐ง Irrigation | Rarely - once every 2-3 weeks |
| ๐ก๏ธ Temperature | Warm (sensitive to frost) |
| ๐ Land | Drained, for succulents |
| ๐ Size | 30-60 cm in a pot |
| ๐ Difficulty level | Very easy! |
| ๐พ Toxicity | Non-toxic โ |
| โจ Special | Bonsai, a symbol of abundance |
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The guide was written by the Deco Garden team of experts.