---
title: "Hello! Hoping someone may be able to help me with propagating this…"
description: "Hello! Hoping someone may be able to help me with propagating this elephant bush (Portulacaria Afra)! I keep failing at it and I’m not sure why! I got these…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg/WgvUeywzZS51J16URiRCz6"
community: "Propagating & Sowing"
author: "Marissa"
published: "2025-09-26T01:33:12.042799Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/7fCgoL3J2gf-yV0wNUkRRrfM_uCLaAMNERUp48me-dQ/R1DNLGesRnCV_3AgHs86yA.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Propagating \& Sowing](https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg.md)

# Hello! Hoping someone may be able to help me with propagating this…

_Posted by Marissa on 2025-09-26_

Hello! Hoping someone may be able to help me with propagating this elephant bush (Portulacaria Afra)! I keep failing at it and I’m not sure why!  
I got these cuttings from my Aunt, might have left them out of soil a few days too long to callus though. I watered thoroughly after planting then have left it alone for over a week, and now leaves are dropping off. Any suggestions??  
Could I be planting the cuttings too deep?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/7fCgoL3J2gf-yV0wNUkRRrfM_uCLaAMNERUp48me-dQ/R1DNLGesRnCV_3AgHs86yA.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Tina commented on 2025-09-26

Try a much smaller pot, potted 1 to 2 inches deep. :) otherwise, they will root in water too.

#### Marissa replied on 2025-09-26

Thanks Tina!  
I have a bad habit of using pots that are way too big lol  
Do you know if I need to let a cutting callous if I’m going to put it in water?

### Beverly commented on 2025-09-26

I also think it looks a bit dry. Misting succulent cuttings is important to keep the babies alive. I agree with putting them in water too

### Vicki commented on 2025-09-26

You need a 4in pot max for those tiny babies!!

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