Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Cactus or Succulent
Succulent
Origin
North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central America, South America
Southern Africa
Types
Not Available
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
Coastal Mountains, Humid climates
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
Not Available
10-12
Sunset Zone
Not Available
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Not Available
Fruit Color
Pink
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Shape
Toothed
Succulent
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Not Available
Late Spring
Tolerances
Not Available
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Stem Planting, Transplanting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Moderate
Less Watering
In Winter
Average Water
Less Watering
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Requires little pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flower Petal Number
Not Available
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Attracts
Not Available
Butterflies
Allergy
Eye irritation, sneezing
no allergic reactions
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
Not Available
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Leaves
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, Used as Christmas Tree, Used as Ornamental plant
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, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
SCHLUMBERGERA x buckleyi
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Thanksgiving Cactus, Crab Cactus
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
क्रिसमस कैक्टस
Elephant Bush
In German
Weihnachtskaktus
Elephant Bush
In French
Cactus de Noël
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Cactus de Navidad
elefante Bush
In Greek
Χριστούγεννα Cactus
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Cacto de Natal
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Christmas Cactus
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Nativitatis Cactus
bush elephant
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Caryophyllales
Family
Cactaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Schlumbergera
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Not Available
Not Available
Subfamily
Cactoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
Not Available
Not Available
Season and Care of Christmas Cactus and Elephant Bush
Season and care of Christmas Cactus and Elephant Bush is important to know. While considering everything about Christmas Cactus and Elephant Bush Care, growing season is an essential factor. Christmas Cactus season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Christmas Cactus is Loam, Sand and for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Christmas Cactus is Acidic, Neutral and for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Christmas Cactus and Elephant Bush Physical Information
Christmas Cactus and Elephant Bush physical information is very important for comparison. Christmas Cactus height is 45.70 cm and width 71.10 cm whereas Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm. The color specification of Christmas Cactus and Elephant Bush are as follows:
Christmas Cactus flower color: Purple
Christmas Cactus leaf color: Green and Dark Green
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
- Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Care of Christmas Cactus and Elephant Bush
Care of Christmas Cactus and Elephant Bush include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Christmas Cactus pruning is done Prune if you want to improve plant shape and Requires little pruning 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 Christmas Cactus needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water. Whereas, in summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering.