Leaf Drop on an Elephant Bush

South African Native

• Native to South Africa, elephant bush is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Also referred to as elephant plant and small leaf jade, elephant bush is a small-leaved succulent with bright-green foliage and a mildly cascading growth habit. Grown outside in warm, dry climates, the plant produces bright-pink flowers in late winter. It propagates easily through stem cuttings and normally doesn’t need to be pruned unless you wish to change its shape. At maturity, the plant reaches about 4 feet in height and usually attains a greater spread.

Sensitive to Cold

• Because it is adapted to very warm parts of the world, elephant bush is sensitive to cold. While it may tolerate temperatures down to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, it could be damaged at any temperature below freezing. Freeze damage can result in browned or blacked, crisp-looking leaves that eventually drop from the plant. If your plant does suffer damage, do not remove blackened leaves, but leave them on to protect the stem until it regrows.

Not a Thirsty Plant

• Elephant bush requires watering only once a month indoors, though probably every week during the hot summer months outside. Do not overwater, as that can contribute to root rot and cause leaves to drop. It is also dangerous to overwater when a succulent like elephant bush might be exposed to freezing temperatures. Too much water in the fleshy, moisture-holding leaves can cause them to burst when the water expands due to cold temperatures.

Preventing the Problem

• When growing elephant bush, take care to stick to a watering schedule so that the plant never spends time in soggy soil. When temperatures drop, even during the summer, slow down your watering. If there is a danger that an outdoor elephant bush may be exposed to frost or freezing temperatures, protect it by keeping it underwatered, placing it in sheltered locations away from cold wind such as under porches or eaves, and draping it with frost cloth or old bed sheets to keep the warmth in.