How to Grow and Care for Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent

Rainbow elephant bush is a type of colorful succulent with small, green leaves that contain a white center and hint of pink along the edges.

These plants are relatively easy to maintain and can be grown outside or inside, as long as they get up to six hours of sunlight daily, live in acidic soil, and stay at a temperature between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Plus, with their sparse watering needs, you only have to wait for the soil to get dry before remembering to water them again. Learn how to grow and care for a rainbow elephant bush.

Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent Care

Here are the main requirements for caring growing a rainbow elephant bush succulent:

• Place these plants in a bright, sunny area.

• Make sure the soil is porous and well-drained.

• Water once the soil becomes dry.

• Keep plants in warm temperatures between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
  

Light

Rainbow elephant bush succulents thrive in areas of your home that get a lot of sun. Their best indoor growing location is in front of a bright, sunny window where they can get at least 6 hours of sun every day, though they can handle partial shade locations, too.

While they're basking in the sun, make sure the succulent is out of direct sunlight as their leaves can scorch and fall off.

Soil

Like most succulents, the rainbow elephant bush loves a porous soil mixture that's well-drained and contains extra perlite. Most potting mixes for cacti or succulents will do just fine, though you can make your own with equal parts perlite, coarse sand, and potting soil.

Always be sure that your soil contains organic matter so your plants get plenty of nutrition.

Water

Thankfully, the rainbow elephant bush is more forgiving when it comes to watering needs. Like most succulents, they prefer to dry out a bit before the next watering. You can get by with watering your plant every twelve days, though they need water more often during the spring through summer as they grow.

When summertime is in full swing, you only need to water the plant enough to keep the leaves from shriveling. You can water your plant less in the winter when it goes dormant.

Tip

The key to watering a rainbow elephant bush is to ensure the soil is well-drained and not overflowing with water to prevent root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

As they're native to South Africa, these plants prefer warmer temperatures between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. They allow versatility for growing indoors and outdoors, though if you keep your plant outside, bring it in when temperatures drop to 60 degrees.

On the other hand, these plants love their humidity (75 degrees and higher, to be exact), but if you're not up for living in a stuffy house, consider placing them next to a humidifier to get the extra moisture.

Fertilizer

The rainbow elephant bush succulent doesn't need much fertilizer, though a little during the winter season wouldn't hurt. If you want to fertilize your plant, add a small amount of organic matter to the soil for it to feed on.

Types of Elephant Bush Succulents

There are a few varieties of elephant bush succulents:

• Dwarf Jade; has similar leaves to rainbow elephant bush succulents but are oval shape instead of round and larger.

• Aurea; also originates in South Africa and is known as the yellow rainbow bush since their foliage is thicker and more yellow than green.

• Medico Picta; looks very similar to a rainbow elephant bush but with more vibrant colors. The leaves are outlined in bright green with creamy white in the center.

Pruning

The rainbow elephant bush succulent does require pruning in the late spring to ensure healthy growth. The end of spring is the best time to prune these succulents since this is the time when growth really kicks in. To avoid legginess with your rainbow elephant bush, prune the plant by cutting elongated stems.

Propagating Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulents

Propagating rainbow elephant bush succulents can be done year-round but you'll have more success doing so in the spring and summer. Waiting to propagate your succulent during the colder months will take longer for the plant to grow since the weather isn't as warm or doesn't have the same light conditions as the spring and summer.

Rainbow elephant bush succulents can be propagated through stem cuttings. Here's how:

1. With a pair of pruning shears, cut several stems from your parent rainbow elephant bush succulent about 3-4 inches long.

2. Choose several stems that look the healthiest with vibrant green leaves as this means the stems are well-watered and will grow the quickest.

3. Remove leaves on the bottom of the stems so that it's bare. Keep the leaves on the top. You should have at least 2 inches of bare stem to put in the soil.

4. Put together your soil mix in your chosen planter and then insert your stems by pushing the bare bottoms into the soil. Water the soil and move your planter to an appropriate spot.

5. Once the plant begins to grow, care for it as you do the parent plant.

You can also propagate a rainbow elephant bush with leaves. Cut off a leaf from the parent plant and let it dry out for one to two days before laying on top of new soil. Water the leaf and wait for the plant to grow.

Potting and Repotting Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulents

The best time to repot your rainbow elephant bush succulent is during the growing period in late spring or early summer so they can adjust to the soil. Avoid repotting your plant during the winter since this is the time of year where they rest. Remember to pot your plant in a porous planter (think clay, terracotta, or ceramic) with proper drainage. Although glazed pots add to the aesthetics, it's ideal to opt for an unglazed pot since glaze can sometimes keep your water from draining properly.

Overwintering

The good news about caring for a rainbow elephant bush succulent is that they're drought-tolerant. Meaning, during the winter, they can survive on less frequent watering.

The biggest care tip to remember in the winter months is to bring these plants indoors and keep them in warmer temperatures. Keep them away from drafty areas in your home or heat vents to keep your plant stress-free.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

The rainbow elephant bush succulent doesn't have too many problems while growing, but the occasional bug or standard plant disease like root rot from overwatering may pop up.

As with any houseplant, these succulents tend to see the occasional spider mite, gnat, and mealybug from time to time. To keep this little pests off your plant, maintain proper humidity levels and keep the soil well-drained.

How to Get Elephant Bush Succulents to Bloom

Rainbow elephant bush succulents are fairly easy to bloom once they get the right amount of sunlight and warmth. These succulents take off during the late spring and early summer period, which usually takes place between May and June.

You can expect your rainbow elephant bush succulent to produce several stems within a few months if the growing conditions are in their favor and the soil is properly drained. You can encourage more blooms to come from your rainbow elephant bush plant by keeping the soil nourished through fertilizer and plant food, or by pruning so new, healthy stems can grow.

Caring for Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulent After it Blooms

The biggest tip to remember when caring for these plants is to let the soil dry out moderately in between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot which will cause the plant to decay and then die. You should also prune your plant when it gets overgrown to keep it healthy.

Common Problems With Rainbow Elephant Bush Succulents

Here are common problems you may notice while caring for your rainbow elephant bush succulent and how to troubleshoot them.

Drooping Leaves

Drooping leaves or stems is a sign of overwatering. To fix this, before root rot takes over, reduce your water intake. Allow the soil to dry out before your next watering.

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves could mean your plant is being scorched by too much indirect sunlight. To remedy this, move your rainbow elephant bush to a shadier location that still gets plenty of sun but puts the leaves out of the light's direct path.

Also, check the plant for spider mites, as these pests can sometimes indicate yellow leaves. If spider mites are the cause, wipe them away and place a humidifier near the plant to deter them from coming back.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do rainbow elephant bush succulents live?

Rainbow elephant bush succulents can live for several decades with proper growth and maintenance conditions. It's possible to get up to 50 years of life out of these plants.

Where should I put rainbow elephant bush succulents in my house?

These succulents grow best indoors when conditions mimic those outside. For example, rainbow elephant bush succulents need to be placed in a bright and sunny location, preferably by a window, since they require sunlight to grow.

Can rainbow elephant bush plants grow indoors?

Yes, they can! To properly grow rainbow elephant bush succulent indoors, place them nearly a bright, sunny window for at least six hours a day to get the right amount of sunlight, and keep the temperatures in your home between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Read the original article on The Spruce.