Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Flowering Plants, Herbs
Origin
Southern Africa
Hybrid origin
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Not Available
Number of Varieties
Not Available
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
moist forests, Mountains
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
4-9
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, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Clump-Forming
Flower Color
Pink
Purple, Pink, Lavender
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Brown
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
Pinnate
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Late Spring, Summer
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Salt
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Cuttings, Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Needs very little water
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
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
cut main trunk every 5 years, Prune after flowering, Prune central stem, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Apply 5-10-5 amounts, Compost
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Nematodes, Red blotch, Trunk Rot
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Attracts
Butterflies
Butterflies, Leaf Hoppers
Allergy
no allergic reactions
Itchiness, Not Available, Sore Throat
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beautification
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Anti-ageing, Good Cleanser, Remove blemishes, Removes pimples
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification, Food for animals, Food for birds, soil stabilisation
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Cough, Haemorrhages, Laxative, Obesity, Tonic
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Fruits, Leaves
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Added to salads, Can be boiled and seasoned, pickled, Culinary use
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
Averrhoa bilimbi
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Bilimbi, Mimbro
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Bilimbi
In German
Elephant Bush
bilimbi
In French
Elephant Bush
bilimbi
In Spanish
elefante Bush
bilimbi
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
bilimbi
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
bilimbi
In Polish
Elephant Bush
bilimbi
In Latin
bush elephant
Rondo Beardtongue
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Oxalidales
Family
Portulacaceae
Oxalidaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Averrhoa
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Not Available
Not Available
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Not Available
Number of Species
Not Available
Season and Care of Elephant Bush and Bilimbi
Season and care of Elephant Bush and Bilimbi is important to know. While considering everything about Elephant Bush and Bilimbi Care, growing season is an essential factor. Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Bilimbi season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand and for Bilimbi is Clay, Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Bilimbi is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Elephant Bush and Bilimbi Physical Information
Elephant Bush and Bilimbi physical information is very important for comparison. Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm whereas Bilimbi height is 38.10 cm and width 25.40 cm. The color specification of Elephant Bush and Bilimbi are as follows:
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Bilimbi flower color: Purple, Pink and Lavender
- Bilimbi leaf color: Green
Care of Elephant Bush and Bilimbi
Care of Elephant Bush and Bilimbi 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 Bilimbi pruning is done cut main trunk every 5 years, Prune after flowering, Prune central stem, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches and Remove dead leaves. In summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering. Whereas, in summer Bilimbi needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.