SKU: 59989931568
elephants food succulent

elephants food succulent Buy Elephant's Food Phoenix, AZ | Portulacaria afra

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Description

elephants food succulent Buy Elephant's Food Phoenix, AZ | Portulacaria afraThe Best Drought Tolerant Privacy Shrub for Phoenix & Scottsdale Elephant's Food (Portulacaria afra) is Phoenix's #1 choice for a fast growing, ultra low water privacy shrub that delivers lush, year round structure with virtually no maintenance. This South African native reaches 815 feet tall with dense, succulent foliage on eye catching reddish brown stems creating a thick, living wall that thrives in the most punishing Arizona heat. Whether you're

The Best Drought-Tolerant Privacy Shrub for Phoenix & Scottsdale

Elephant's Food (Portulacaria afra) is Phoenix's #1 choice for a fast-growing, ultra-low-water privacy shrub that delivers lush, year-round structure with virtually no maintenance. This South African native reaches 8–15 feet tall with dense, succulent foliage on eye-catching reddish-brown stems — creating a thick, living wall that thrives in the most punishing Arizona heat. Whether you're building a privacy screen in Scottsdale, a poolside backdrop in Chandler, or a sculptural accent in Mesa or Gilbert — Elephant's Food delivers outstanding results on minimal water and care.

Elephant's Food Plant Details

Attribute Detail
Scientific Name Portulacaria afra
Common Names Elephant's Food, Elephant Bush, Spekboom, Porkbush
Mature Height 8–15 feet
Mature Width 8–15 feet
Growth Rate Fast — 1–2 feet per year in Phoenix conditions
Sun Full sun to partial shade. Thrives with reflected heat from walls and hardscape.
Water Very low once established. One of Arizona's most drought-tolerant shrubs.
USDA Zones 9–11 (Phoenix is Zone 9b–10a)
Soil Well-draining. Highly adaptable to Arizona caliche soils.
Foliage Evergreen — small, round succulent leaves; reddish-brown stems year-round
Bloom Color Pink (small star-shaped flowers in spring)
Native Region South Africa (proven performer in desert climates worldwide)

Elephant's Food Uses in Phoenix Landscapes

Privacy Hedge and Screening

Elephant's Food is one of the fastest ways to build a dense privacy screen in the Phoenix Valley. With its thick, succulent foliage and upright growth habit, it forms an impenetrable green wall that blocks sightlines from neighboring homes, streets, and pools. Plant 4–5 feet apart for a fast hedge, or 6–8 feet apart for a looser screen. Density guide: 20 ft fence — 5 plants / 40 ft fence — 10 plants. Pair with Texas Sage or Desert Spoon for a layered desert look that's both beautiful and functional.

Poolside Planting

Elephant's Food is one of the best plants for pool-adjacent landscaping in Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Tempe. Its succulent leaves don't drop in ways that clog filters, it handles reflected heat and water splashing without complaint, and its root system is non-invasive. The reddish stems and green foliage create a lush, tropical look that makes pool areas feel like resort-style retreats. It pairs beautifully with Ruellia or Bird of Paradise for a bold, colorful poolside planting.

Sculptural Accent and Modern Desert Design

Few plants offer the sculptural quality of a mature Elephant's Food. The twisted reddish branches and dense round leaves create striking architectural interest whether planted as a single specimen, used as a backdrop, or trained into a multi-trunk tree form. In modern desert landscapes across Chandler, Peoria, and Glendale, Elephant's Food is increasingly used as a high-impact focal point surrounded by decomposed granite or black gravel. For a bolder statement, pair it with a giant agave or sculptural cactus.

Wildlife-Friendly and Eco-Landscape

Elephant's Food is a proven wildlife magnet in Phoenix yards. Hummingbirds, native bees, and butterflies flock to the small pink spring flowers, and birds use the dense canopy for nesting and shelter. It's also one of the most carbon-sequestering plants on the planet — Spekboom forests in South Africa are celebrated for their ability to capture CO₂ at rates rivaling forests. If you're building a pollinator garden in Gilbert or Mesa, Elephant's Food belongs on your list.

Best Time to Plant Elephant's Food in Phoenix

Fall (October–November) is the ideal planting window. Warm soil temperatures encourage rapid root development, while cooler air temperatures reduce transplant stress. A fall-planted Elephant's Food gets 6–8 months of root establishment before its first Phoenix summer, setting it up to thrive for decades. Spring (February–April) is the second-best window. Avoid summer planting if possible — if you must plant in summer, provide afternoon shade for the first few weeks and water more frequently until the plant is established.

How to Plant Elephant's Food

  1. Dig wide, not deep — excavate a hole 2–3 times the width of the root ball and the same depth. Wide holes encourage lateral root spread.
  2. Check for caliche — break through any hardpan caliche layer to ensure water can drain freely. Poor drainage is the #1 killer of Elephant's Food in Arizona.
  3. Backfill with native soil — Portulacaria afra thrives in lean soil. A light 20% organic amendment is fine, but avoid heavy compost or peat.
  4. Spacing — 4–5 feet apart for a dense privacy hedge; 6–8 feet apart for a looser screen; 8–10 feet apart for individual specimens.
  5. Water basin — build a 3–4 inch raised ring of soil around the outer edge of the root zone to direct irrigation water to the roots during establishment.
  6. Mulch — apply 2–3 inches of bark mulch or gravel around the base to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Keep mulch 2–3 inches away from the trunk.

Watering Elephant's Food in Phoenix

First Year Watering Schedule

Consistent watering during the first year is critical to successful establishment, even for a drought-tolerant plant like Elephant's Food:

  • Weeks 1–2: Water every 1–2 days, deep and slow (20–30 minutes per session)
  • Month 1–2: Reduce to every 3–4 days as roots begin to spread
  • Month 3–6: Every 7–10 days (increase to every 5–7 days during peak summer heat above 110°F)
  • After Year 1: Every 10–14 days in summer; every 3–4 weeks in winter. Established plants handle long dry stretches with ease.

Drip Irrigation

Place drip emitters 18–24 inches from the trunk and use 1–2 GPH emitters per plant. Run for 30–45 minutes per session to ensure deep penetration. Once established, Elephant's Food requires very little supplemental irrigation in Phoenix and can often survive on rainfall alone in non-peak months — one of the most water-efficient large shrubs available in the Valley.

How fast does Elephant's Food grow in Phoenix?
In Phoenix's warm climate and full sun, Elephant's Food typically grows 1–2 feet per year. With regular water during the first two years, some plants can grow even faster, reaching 6–8 feet in just 3–4 years.

Is Elephant's Food truly drought tolerant once established?
Yes — once established (typically after 12–18 months), Portulacaria afra is one of the most drought-tolerant large shrubs available for Phoenix landscapes. Its succulent leaves store water, allowing it to withstand extended dry periods. It may drop some leaves during extreme drought but will rebound quickly once watered.

What's the difference between Elephant's Food and Elephant Bush?
They're the same plant. Portulacaria afra goes by many common names — Elephant's Food, Elephant Bush, Spekboom, and Porkbush are all the same species. At Three Timbers, we also carry a Variegated Elephant's Food with cream and green leaves, which is a slightly slower-growing variety with the same tough characteristics.

Can Elephant's Food handle Phoenix's reflected heat?
Absolutely. Portulacaria afra is native to the harsh, rocky hillsides of South Africa and was built for intense sun and radiant heat. It thrives planted against stucco walls, along south-facing fences, and in areas that would stress most other plants. It's one of the few large shrubs that can handle Phoenix's worst west-facing exposures.

Does Elephant's Food work near pools?
Yes — it's one of the best pool-adjacent plants in the Phoenix area. Its succulent leaves don't create significant litter, its roots are non-invasive, and it handles water splash and humidity without issues. It's a popular choice for creating resort-style poolscapes in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

You May Also Like

Variegated Elephant's Food — The same tough, water-wise species in a striking cream-and-green variegated form, perfect for a brighter, more decorative look.

Dwarf Elephant's Food — A compact, slower-growing variety that tops out around 4–5 feet, ideal for borders, containers, and smaller spaces.

Texas Sage — A native desert shrub with silvery foliage and purple blooms that pairs beautifully with Elephant's Food in privacy hedges and mixed borders.

Desert Spoon (Dasylirion) — A bold, architectural accent plant that complements the round, soft foliage of Elephant's Food with dramatic spiky structure.

Ruellia (Mexican Petunia) — A low-growing, prolific bloomer that pairs well at the feet of Elephant's Food hedges for a colorful, layered effect.

How Many Elephant's Food Do I Need?

For a fast privacy screen, space plants 4 to 5 feet on center. For a looser informal screen or where you want each plant to show its sculptural form, use 6 to 8 feet.

Screen run length Dense hedge (4 ft) Loose screen (6 ft)
20 ft 5 plants 4 plants
40 ft 10 plants 7 plants
60 ft 15 plants 10 plants

As a single specimen or multi-trunk feature, give it 8 to 10 feet of clearance so the twisted reddish branches can spread.

Elephant's Food Season-by-Season in Phoenix

  • Spring (Feb–Apr): Strong growth flush and small pink star flowers that draw bees and hummingbirds. Best second planting window after fall.
  • Summer (May–Sep): Peak growth in extreme and reflected heat, even on west-facing walls. Very low water once established. Monsoon humidity poses no problem for these waxy succulent leaves.
  • Fall (Oct–Nov): Prime planting season. Growth continues in the warm soil, giving roots months to establish before winter.
  • Winter (Dec–Jan): Evergreen and steady, but frost-sensitive. Tips and leaves can burn below about 28 to 30°F. In low desert cold snaps, cover young plants or expect cosmetic tip damage that flushes out again in spring.

At a Glance

✔ Evergreen   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Heat-Loving (Reflected-Heat Tolerant)   ✔ Pool-Friendly (Low-Litter)   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Hummingbird-Friendly   ✔ Low-Maintenance   ✔ Edible

Plant It With

  • Variegated Elephant's Food: the same tough species in cream and green for a brighter accent in the same bed.
  • Dwarf Elephant's Food: a low, spreading form that layers neatly at the feet of the tall hedge.
  • Texas Sage: silver foliage and purple blooms for color contrast along a privacy screen.
  • Desert Spoon: spiky architectural form that plays off the soft round succulent leaves.

Is Elephant's Food Right for Your Yard?

It thrives in full sun and brutal reflected heat, drains-happy caliche, and needs almost no water once established, making it one of the best fast privacy shrubs in the low desert. The one caveat is frost: it is tender below about 28 to 30°F, so in cold pockets plan to cover young plants on hard frost nights or accept some tip burn that regrows in spring. Not the best fit for a spot that stays wet or poorly drained, since soggy roots will rot a succulent like this.

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George Larkin
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Good quality, fairly easy assembly
Color: White
Comfortable chair as advertised. Assembly time about 20 minutes with one screwdriver needed. (Note: don't follow the instructions included. Lay the left arm assembly down on the floor and THEN affix the seat, followed by turning that over on its side and adding the right arm assembly. Trying to affix the two arms in an upright position is too difficult as directed.) The only thing I don't like about it is the fluted upholstery on the seat and back, where a bit more padding would have helped greatly. Otherwise, it's comfortable and functional and reasonably priced. Delivery was on time. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AFTER 18 MONTHS OF USE: I've used the chair for 6-8 hours a day. The leather on the arms is cracking in multiple places. This is a big disappointment. And speaking of the arms, there's a major problem with the sewing of the leather on the outside edge of both left and right arms: the stitching is on the top at the outer edge, which means that it forms a jagged edge that your arms scrape on when resting on the leather. That jagged edge scraping my skin has caused a great deal of chafing, is most irritating, and could have been avoided entirely if they had just applied the stitching one inch further down on the side rather than along the top flat edge. This is a major design flaw. I will not buy this chair again because of the one flaw and the too-thin, cracking leather on the flat top of the arms, which is too bad, because it's fine in all other ways.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2020
A
Verified Purchase
A
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 3
Good, but not great
Color: White
I work from home, so having a really comfortable chair that supports my back and provides me a nice place to sit for 8 hours is really important to me. I ordered this chair in March 2023 and was really happy with it at first. Sleek, easy to put together, and comfortable. I then had an issue with it because after I sat on it while wearing leggings, the entire seat and armrests turned black from the fabric. No other furniture I own turns black from my leggings. I reached out to the seller and they were kind enough to provide me a replacement for the seat and the two armrests at no charge. I went through the whole summer and didn't wear leggings. However, I am now in Oct 2023 and wearing leggings again. The chair seat and armrests are black again, but there is also a lot of wear to the chair in general. I understand I sit in it a lot, but the seat lost its comfort factor. Additionally, I lean on the left armrest a lot and it shows - there is a large indent on it. The fake leather material is just not for me and the chair no longer looks attractive. I wish it lasted longer considering how much I paid for it.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2023
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Verified Purchase
Austin
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Worth Every Penny
Color: Black
Bought this chair Aug 2023 and as i come up on 3 years with this chair i can say i absolutely love this chair. i bought this chair when i was having very bad back pain and assuming my old chair was to small i decided to purchase it. Zero complaints about this chair at all, no rips, cuts or broken parts. The chair does have some cracking but that's because I'm fat so its a lot for the chair to hold on a daily bases. I give this chair a lot of props for removing my back pain considering my back pain was due to a popped gallbladder that was infected.. If you are reading reviews and looking for a good chair that's worth the money just get this. Its easy to assemble & it has great stability AND most importantly it holds the weight of myself.. I'm built like a butter ball turkey..
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Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2026
B
Verified Purchase
Bulldoggy
Boise, US
★★★★★ 1
1 year review from a teleworker
Color: Grey
I purchased the Homall Office Chair in March of 2022, with high expectations of comfort and functionality. I liked how the chair looked, its price point, and it received positive reviews. Unfortunately, my experience with this chair has been underwhelming, to say the least. Several issues, ranging from poor quality to difficult assembly, have left me deeply dissatisfied with my purchase. Let's start with the assembly process, which was an absolute nightmare. The instructions provided were not terrible, but not great either. It took me significantly longer than anticipated to assemble this chair, and I consider myself fairly handy. If you're not well-versed in putting together furniture, you may find yourself extremely frustrated. Another significant issue I encountered was with the chair's hydraulic cylinder. It has already started failing, causing the chair to slowly sink, regardless of the adjustment settings. This rendered the height adjustment feature useless and made for an uncomfortable seating position. I expected a durable and reliable chair, but sadly, this was not the case. The armrests were also a major disappointment. They started to deform and indent where my elbows and arms sit. The rest of the chair is fine. I can sit it in all day, so that is a positive. I mainly lean a bit forward and don't have time to lounge backward. On top of all these issues, the Homall Office Chair proved to be quite noisy. Whenever I shifted my weight or made any slight movements, the chair emitted creaking and squeaking sounds. Not only was it an annoyance, but it also disrupted my concentration while working and is embarrassing on conference calls. Having such a distracting and low-quality chair in a professional environment is disappointing. If I read this review I would have a couple of questions about the reviewer. I am 6'3" but well below the recommended weight. I review plans and specs as part of my job, so I am good with instructions. My hobby is woodworking which requires skill and a calm demeanor. Yes, I did retighten any connectors that became loose through normal wear and tear. I should have spent more money on a quality chair since I am now looking to purchase a different chair 1 year later. I would advise others to take that into consideration. Spend a little more and keep less junk out of our landfills.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2023
K
Verified Purchase
Kindle Customer
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
High Quality Rolling Chair
Color: Black/Silver
My son LOVES this desk chair. He has a drafting table to draw and do schoolwork on, and this provides him a comfortable chair to work in. It is sturdy and easy to clean. It does not fold, but it does roll easily. It was VERY EASY to put together. We were also pleased with the price. He will be able to use it for years to come.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2026

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