Other Names:  Midstripe Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant, Elephant Food

Description:

An upright, slow growing plant with interesting pinkish-red stems, and tiny succulent green leaves with wide cream middle stripes; popular use in bonsai; very drought tolerant, great for indoor containers in bright areas

Features & Attributes

Kaleidoscope Rainbow Bush is primarily valued in the home for its ornamental upright and spreading habit of growth. It features dainty lavender flowers at the ends of the branches in early summer. Its attractive tiny succulent round leaves remain green in color with prominent creamy white stripes and tinges of white throughout the year. The ruby-red stems are very effective and add to the plant's interest.

This is a multi-stemmed houseplant with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its extremely fine and delicate texture is quite ornamental and should be used to full effect. This plant can be pruned at any time to keep it looking its best.

Planting & Growing

When grown indoors, Kaleidoscope Rainbow Bush can be expected to grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 40 years. This houseplant will do well in a location that gets either direct or indirect sunlight, although it will usually require a more brightly-lit environment than what artificial indoor lighting alone can provide. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and may die if left in standing water for any length of time. This plant should be watered when the surface of the soil gets dry, and will need watering approximately once each week. Be aware that your particular watering schedule may vary depending on its location in the room, the pot size, plant size and other conditions; if in doubt, ask one of our experts in the store for advice. Like most succulents and cacti, it prefers to grow in poor soils and should therefore never be fertilized. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soil. Contact the store for specific recommendations on pre-mixed potting soil for this plant.

There are many factors that will affect the ultimate height, spread and overall performance of a plant when grown indoors; among them, the size of the pot it's growing in, the amount of light it receives, watering frequency, the pruning regimen and repotting schedule. Use the information described here as a guideline only; individual performance can and will vary. Please contact the store to speak with one of our experts if you are interested in further details concerning recommendations on pot size, watering, pruning, repotting, etc.

-- THIS IS A HOUSEPLANT AND IS NOT MEANT TO SURVIVE THE WINTER OUTDOORS IN OUR CLIMATE --