Portulacaria is a genus of succulent plant, classified in its own subfamily Portulacarioideae in the family Didiereaceae.

The genus was previously placed in the family Portulacaceae, but according to molecular studies is part of Didiereaceae.

It has further been revised when phylogenetic tests showed conclusively that genus Ceraria was located within Portulacaria, and all Ceraria species have consequently been renamed and moved into this genus.

[1] As of March 2024[update], Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[2] Portulacaria afra normally uses C3 (or Hatch-Slack) carbon fixation but is also able to switch to CAM carbon fixation when drought stressed.

[3] Because of its superficial resemblance to some species in the family Crassulaceae, most of which are toxic,[4] the two are readily, and possibly dangerously, confused by people unaware of the differences.