Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
North America, United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Southwestern United States, Texas, Canada, Mexico
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Not Available
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
meadows, Prairies, Riverbanks, Roadsides, Woods
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
2-7
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Clump-Forming
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Not Available
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Blue Green, Burgundy, Bronze
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Tan, Sandy Brown
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Grass like
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Not Available
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Medium
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
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
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Not Found
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds, Butterflies
Allergy
no allergic reactions
Not Available
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Ground Cover, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Not Available
Edible Uses
Yes
Insignificant
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification, Food for animals, Prevent Soil Erosion
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Not Available
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Decoration Purposes, Food for animals
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
Insignificant
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Cutflower, Dried Flower/Everlasting, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Wildflower
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
ANDROPOGON gerardii
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Big Bluestem, Turkey Foot
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Big Bluestem grass
In German
Elephant Bush
Große Bartgras
In French
Elephant Bush
Barbon de Gérard herbe
In Spanish
elefante Bush
hierba andropogon grande
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Big BLUESTEM γρασίδι
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Vetiver grande grama
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Big Bluestem trawa
In Latin
bush elephant
Big bluestem herba
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Lillosida
Order
Caryophyllales
Poaceae
Family
Portulacaceae
Poaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Andropogon
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Tribe
Not Available
Not Available
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Not Available
Number of Species
Not Available
Not Available
Season and Care of Elephant Bush and Big Bluestem
Season and care of Elephant Bush and Big Bluestem is important to know. While considering everything about Elephant Bush and Big Bluestem Care, growing season is an essential factor. Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Big Bluestem season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand and for Big Bluestem is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Big Bluestem is Neutral, Alkaline.
Elephant Bush and Big Bluestem Physical Information
Elephant Bush and Big Bluestem physical information is very important for comparison. Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm whereas Big Bluestem height is 38.10 cm and width 152.40 cm. The color specification of Elephant Bush and Big Bluestem are as follows:
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Big Bluestem flower color: Purple
- Big Bluestem leaf color: Green
Care of Elephant Bush and Big Bluestem
Care of Elephant Bush and Big Bluestem 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 Big Bluestem pruning is done Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves and Remove dead or diseased plant parts. In summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering. Whereas, in summer Big Bluestem needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.