Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Cactus or Succulent
Origin
Southern Africa
Mexico
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Not Available
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Desert
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
8-12
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Upright/Erect
Flower Color
Pink
Yellow, Red, Orange
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Not Available
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Reddish Plum
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Globe shaped
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loamy, Sandy, Well drained
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Salt
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Grafting, Seedlings, Transplanting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Does not require lot of watering, Water once every two or three weeks, Water when soil is dry
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Prune ocassionally, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Aphids, Caterpillars, Cochineal insect, Mealybugs, Nematodes, Red spider mite, Rodent, Root rot, Scale, Slugs, Snails, Thripes, Viruses, Worms
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Aphids, Birds, Rodents
Allergy
no allergic reactions
Not Available
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Nourishes scalp, Reduce Bruises, Remove blemishes
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Antioxidants, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Hangover
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Flowers, Leaves
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Biomass for fuel, Employed in herbal medicine, Fine spines and trichomes are used as fiber for weaving, Oil is used for aromatherapy, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Feature Plant, Fruit, Fruit Tree, Hedges, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
OPUNTIA ficus-indica
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Indian fig opuntia, Barbary fig, cactus pear, spineless cactus
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Opuntia ficus-indica
In German
Elephant Bush
Opuntia ficus-indica
In French
Elephant Bush
Opuntia ficus-indica
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Opuntia ficus-indica
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Φραγκοσυκιά
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Opuntia ficus-indica
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Opuntia ficus-indica
In Latin
bush elephant
Opuntia ficus-indica
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Caryophyllales
Family
Portulacaceae
Cactaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Opuntia Mill
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots
Tribe
Not Available
Opuntieae
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Opuntioideae
Number of Species
Not Available
Not Available
Season and Care of Elephant Bush and Barbary Fig
Season and care of Elephant Bush and Barbary Fig is important to know. While considering everything about Elephant Bush and Barbary Fig Care, growing season is an essential factor. Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Barbary Fig season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand and for Barbary Fig is Loamy, Sandy, Well drained while the PH of soil for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Barbary Fig is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Elephant Bush and Barbary Fig Physical Information
Elephant Bush and Barbary Fig physical information is very important for comparison. Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm whereas Barbary Fig height is 240.00 cm and width 180.00 cm. The color specification of Elephant Bush and Barbary Fig are as follows:
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Barbary Fig flower color: Yellow, Red and Orange
- Barbary Fig leaf color: Green
Care of Elephant Bush and Barbary Fig
Care of Elephant Bush and Barbary Fig include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. 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 and Barbary Fig pruning is done Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Prune ocassionally and Remove dead leaves. In summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering. Whereas, in summer Barbary Fig needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.