---
title: "I just got this (portulacaria afra mid stripe elephant ear plant) and…"
description: "I just got this (portulacaria afra mid stripe elephant ear plant) and was wondering if anyone has any tips for it. It has a little roots and it came from soil!…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/vbYTaHUEx5wWi7BbQs9C22"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Anna"
published: "2025-05-10T19:39:44.729823Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wSe0RWQvoQPj7Njz60iDLXiv1A6cz-ms6VoU4uo7lXc/hbBEZJ24QE-qus121op31w.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Anything about plants](https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg.md)

# I just got this (portulacaria afra mid stripe elephant ear plant) and…

_Posted by Anna on 2025-05-10_

I just got this (portulacaria afra mid stripe elephant ear plant) and was wondering if anyone has any tips for it. It has a little roots and it came from soil! I do know that much.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wSe0RWQvoQPj7Njz60iDLXiv1A6cz-ms6VoU4uo7lXc/hbBEZJ24QE-qus121op31w.webp?size=large)

## 7 comments

### Sunny commented on 2025-05-10

It’s a mid stripe elephant bush, Portulacaria Afra Medio Picta. It needs a much smaller pot like a starter pot 2” to 3” wide or just wide enough to hold the roots. The roots must be able to use up all the water in the soil or the roots will rot. Make sure it’s succulent/cactus soil. Standard potting mix holds too much water. 🪴🍀

### Abbeywabby🪴🎍 commented on 2025-05-11

look like it’s needs some water the leaves are a bit shriveled

### Trevor commented on 2025-05-11

Is it a cutting?

### Anna commented on 2025-05-11

I have no idea what it truly is google told me it’s a Madagascar jewel. I was trading plants with my neighbor and this is what she gave me. She don’t know what’s it is either. It’s too cute being tiny. It has a little bit of hair(roots) like tiny pieces. I switched it to a 2” pot a well like some have suggested and gave her water!

### Trevor commented on 2025-05-11

If it is a cutting you will increase your chances of success if you put it in water until there's good root growth. Portulacaria afra are too small to root in soil I found. They dry up before any significant root growth occurs

#### Anna replied on 2025-05-11

Oh I’m scared of doing straight water. Everything always dies on me for some reason.

#### Trevor replied on 2025-05-13

I wouldn't put it in direct sunlight, somewhere shady should be fine

---

_Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_