Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Cactus or Succulent, Perennial
  
Succulent
  
Origin
North America, Central America, South America
  
Southern Africa
  
Types
princess of the night, Honolulu queen
  
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
  
Habitat
Desert, Semi desert
  
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-14
  
10-12
  
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
  
10-1
  
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Narrow Upright/Fastigiate
  
Twisted/Contorted
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Light Pink, White
  
Pink
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Not Available
  
Fruit Color
Pink, Purple, Salmon, Violet
  
Green, Red
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
  
Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Succulent
  
Succulent
  
Thorns
Yes
  
No
  
Plant Season
Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Alkaline, Neutral
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Spring
  
Late Spring
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
No
  
Tolerances
Drought
  
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
  
Container, Ground, Pot
  
How to Plant?
Grafting, Seedlings, Stem Planting
  
Seedlings, Stem Planting
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do not let dry out between waterings, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water, Requires consistently moist soil, Requires regular watering
  
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Ample Water
  
In Spring
Average Water
  
Less Watering
  
In Winter
Less Watering
  
Less Watering
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Alkaline, Neutral
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Pruning
Prune to stimulate growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Fertilizers
fertilize every 2-3 weeks while growing
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
  
Pests and Diseases
Scale
  
Pests and diseases free
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
  
Flowers
Yes
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Semi-Double
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
No
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Bold
  
Bold
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
No
  
Attracts
Birds
  
Butterflies
  
Allergy
Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting
  
no allergic reactions
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
  
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
Improve hair condition, Improve skin condition
  
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Antioxidants, cholesterol-lowering, Fever, Heart problems, Itching, Menstrual Disorders, Rheumatism, Treat Parasitic Intestinal Worms
  
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
  
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Stem
  
Leaves, Stem
  
Other Uses
Decoration Purposes, Economic Purpose, Employed in herbal medicine, Medicinal oil, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
  
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
  
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Container
  
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
CEREUS
  
PORTULACARIA afra
  
Common Name
Night blooming cereus
  
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
  
In Hindi
cereus
  
Elephant Bush
  
In German
cereus
  
Elephant Bush
  
In French
cereus
  
Elephant Bush
  
In Spanish
cereus
  
elefante Bush
  
In Greek
cereus
  
ελέφαντας Μπους
  
In Portuguese
cereus
  
elefante de Bush
  
In Polish
cereus
  
Elephant Bush
  
In Latin
cereus
  
bush elephant
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Tracheophyta
  
Embryophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Caryophyllales
  
Caryophyllales
  
Family
Cactaceae
  
Portulacaceae
  
Genus
Selenicereus
  
Portulacaria
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
  
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Hylocereeae
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Cactoideae
  
Portulacarioideae
  
Number of Species
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Season and Care of Cereus and Elephant Bush
Season and care of Cereus and Elephant Bush is important to know. While considering everything about Cereus and Elephant Bush Care, growing season is an essential factor. Cereus season is Fall, Spring, Summer and Winter and Elephant Bush season is Fall, Spring, Summer and Winter. The type of soil for Cereus is Loam, Sand and for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Cereus is Acidic, Alkaline, Neutral and for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Cereus and Elephant Bush Physical Information
Cereus and Elephant Bush physical information is very important for comparison. Cereus height is 250.00 cm and width 40.00 cm whereas Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm. The color specification of Cereus and Elephant Bush are as follows:
Cereus flower color: Light Pink and White
Cereus leaf color: Light Green
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
- Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Care of Cereus and Elephant Bush
Care of Cereus and Elephant Bush include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Cereus pruning is done Prune to stimulate growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches and Remove dead leaves and Elephant Bush pruning is done Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves and Remove dead or diseased plant parts. In summer Cereus needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Less Watering. Whereas, in summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering.