Elephant Bush is a plant that thrives in dry, hot climates. It can grow to be up to 5 feet tall and has broad leaves that are shaped like the trunk of an elephant. Planting Elephant Bush in a garden near you will provide beauty and shade all year round!

However, if your Elephant Bush starts dropping its leaves, it could be due to any number of things. In this blog post, we’ll go over some factors that may lead to a leaf drop on your elephant bush so you know how to avoid these problems next time!

Why Is My Elephant Bush Dropping Leaves?

Your elephant bush is dropping leaves because it is not receiving the water it needs or the growth cycle has ended. If you live in a hot, dry climate like the one that elephant bush thrives in, water your plant frequently enough to keep it moist. Elephant bush cannot handle being watered infrequently or unevenly.

Your elephant bush may also just be going through the normal growth cycle. Elephant bush tends to start dropping leaves in late fall or early winter. Experienced owners will notice that this tends to happen every year. As long as the leaves are being replaced, you have nothing to worry about.

If it is dropping leaves due to a watering problem, then you may want to water from the bottom by letting the plant sit in a container filled with water. Do this for 15 minutes, and then let the water drain from the bottom before returning the plant to its home.

FAQ

Will my elephant bush recover if it drops all its leaves?

Your elephant bush may appear dead after dropping most or all of its leaves, but this is not the case! Your plant has gone dormant and should start regrowing new shoots when winter is over. You can help your plant’s recovery by keeping it watered until then.

Does an elephant bush drop leaves in winter?

Yes! The elephant bush will drop most of its leaves in winter. This is part of the natural growth cycle and does not indicate that there is anything wrong with your plant!

Will grow lights help an elephant bush to grow?

Yes. Elephant bush thrives in dry, hot climates and does not enjoy being moved. Grow lights will help the plant continue growing when you cannot provide it with natural sunlight indoors.

How much water should I give my elephant bush?

Make sure the soil is moist when you water your elephant bush. A good rule of thumb for watering is to wait until the upper inch or two of soil has dried out before giving it more water. Your plant should be watered enough that this happens in between each time, but not so much that its leaves are wet afterward!

Is there anything else I can do with my elephant bush during wintertime?

Other than making sure it gets plenty of light and regular care, make sure you move your plant away from any heat sources like vents or fires if they are too close by. This could dry out your plant faster than usual, leading to leaf drop!

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are a variety of reasons why your elephant bush may be dropping its leaves. Your best bet is to water it regularly, especially if you live in climates with hot and dry summers like the one that elephant bush thrives in!

It’s also important to consider that this could just be the natural growth cycle of the elephant bush. They tend to drop leaves during the winter months, but the leaves will always regrow.