Repotting guide

When & how to repot Elephant Tree (Bursera microphylla)

Also called Elephant Tree, Small-leaf Elephant Tree, Copal.

More about elephant tree

About Elephant Tree

Bursera microphylla · also called Elephant Tree, Small-leaf Elephant Tree · tropical

An iconic desert caudiciform tree of the Sonoran Desert, Arizona, and Baja California, named for its dramatically swollen, elephantine trunk with smooth cream to greenish bark that peels away to reveal a photosynthetic green layer beneath. Extremely drought-tolerant and deciduous during dry periods. Requires full sun, near-perfect drainage, and is frost-intolerant.

Mature size: 3–8 m (10–26 ft) tall in the wild; typically 1–3 m (3–10 ft) in cultivation, with slow growth

Watch for — Overwatering / root rot: The leading cause of container plant failure. Root rot is swift and often fatal. Ensure the substrate is dry before each watering and never leave the pot in standing water. Reduce watering dramatically in winter even when temperatures remain warm.

How to tell elephant tree needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For elephant tree, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot elephant tree

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Elephant Tree's growth habit — drought-deciduous caudiciform tree or large shrub with a massively swollen, photosynthetic trunk and small pinnate leaflets — sets the pace. An iconic desert caudiciform tree of the Sonoran Desert, Arizona, and Baja California, named for its dramatically swollen, elephantine trunk with smooth cream to greenish bark that peels away to reveal a photosynthetic green layer beneath. Extremely drought-tolerant and deciduous during dry periods. Requires full sun, near-perfect drainage, and is frost-intolerant.

What size pot to step elephant tree up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Elephant Tree stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot elephant tree

Spring or summer, while elephant tree is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting elephant tree

Repot dry. Do not water elephant tree for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty extremely fast-draining desert cactus mix or mineral substrate ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set elephant tree at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep elephant tree completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for elephant tree

Elephant Tree wants extremely fast-draining desert cactus mix or mineral substrate. In the ground, plant in rocky, well-drained caliche-free soil with excellent slope drainage. In containers, use a lean mix of cactus soil amended with 50% pumice, coarse sand, or perlite. Heavy clay or moisture-retaining soils are fatal. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting elephant tree — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot elephant tree?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for elephant tree. Repot elephant tree every 2–3 years into a snug pot of extremely fast-draining desert cactus mix or mineral substrate, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does elephant tree need?

When is the best time of year to repot elephant tree?

Should you water elephant tree after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot elephant tree into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise elephant tree after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting elephant tree. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.