Portulacaria afra
Light: Full sun to partial shade; in Phoenix, morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal. Acclimate gradually to direct sun and avoid intense reflected heat.
Water: Low water once established; water deeply, then let soil dry thoroughly. Container plants need more frequent checks during summer. Water sparingly in winter.
Soil: Very well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil; use a gritty cactus and succulent mix in containers.
Mature size: Typically 6–12 feet tall and 4–8 feet wide in favorable frost-free conditions; usually smaller in Phoenix gardens and containers.
Bloom: May bloom in late spring or summer on mature plants; flowering is uncommon in cultivation.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen; may shed leaves during drought, cold, or other stress.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with warmth and appropriate watering; slower under dry conditions.