Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Cactus or Succulent
  
Succulent
  
Origin
North America, Southwestern United States, Mexico
  
Southern Africa
  
Types
Echinocactus parryi, Echinocactus texensis
  
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
  
Habitat
Desert, Gravels, Sandy areas
  
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-15
  
10-12
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
  
10-1
  
Sunset Zone
12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Oval or Rounded
  
Twisted/Contorted
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Yellow, Magenta
  
Pink
  
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Fruit Color
Yellow
  
Green, Red
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Not Available
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Not Available
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Not Available
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Succulent
  
Succulent
  
Thorns
Yes
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Growth Rate
Slow
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
  
Late Spring
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
No
  
Tolerances
Drought, Heat Tolerance, Shade areas
  
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
  
Container, Ground, Pot
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings
  
Seedlings, Stem Planting
  
Plant Maintenance
Low
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water, Requires watering in the growing season, Water when top layer of soil becomes dry
  
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
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
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
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
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 in summer, Potassium
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
  
Pests and Diseases
Mealybugs, Spider mites
  
Pests and diseases free
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Full Sun, Heat Tolerance, Shade areas
  
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
No
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Bold
  
Bold
  
Foliage Sheen
Not Available
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
No
  
Attracts
Insects, Mealybugs, Spider Mites
  
Butterflies
  
Allergy
Skin cuts
  
no allergic reactions
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
  
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
No Beauty Benefits
  
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
  
Edible Uses
No
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Food for insects, Very little waste
  
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
No Medicinal Use
  
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
  
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
  
Leaves, Stem
  
Other Uses
Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, 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
ECHINOCACTUS
  
PORTULACARIA afra
  
Common Name
Golden barrel cactus, Golden ball
  
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
  
In Hindi
echinocactus
  
Elephant Bush
  
In German
echinocactus
  
Elephant Bush
  
In French
echinocactus
  
Elephant Bush
  
In Spanish
echinocactus
  
elefante Bush
  
In Greek
Echinocactus
  
ελέφαντας Μπους
  
In Portuguese
Echinocactus
  
elefante de Bush
  
In Polish
Echinocactus
  
Elephant Bush
  
In Latin
Echinocactus
  
bush elephant
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Tracheophyta
  
Embryophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Caryophyllales
  
Caryophyllales
  
Family
Cactaceae
  
Portulacaceae
  
Genus
Echinocactus
  
Portulacaria
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
  
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Cacteae
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Cactoideae
  
Portulacarioideae
  
Number of Species
Not Available
  
Season and Care of Echinocactus and Elephant Bush
Season and care of Echinocactus and Elephant Bush is important to know. While considering everything about Echinocactus and Elephant Bush Care, growing season is an essential factor. Echinocactus season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Echinocactus is Loam, Sand and for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Echinocactus is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Echinocactus and Elephant Bush Physical Information
Echinocactus and Elephant Bush physical information is very important for comparison. Echinocactus height is 30.00 cm and width 30.00 cm whereas Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm. The color specification of Echinocactus and Elephant Bush are as follows:
Echinocactus flower color: Yellow and Magenta
Echinocactus leaf color: Not Available
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
- Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Care of Echinocactus and Elephant Bush
Care of Echinocactus and Elephant Bush include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Echinocactus pruning is done Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves and Remove dead or diseased plant parts 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 Echinocactus 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.