Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
Madagascar
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Number of Varieties
Not Available
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
9-13
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
Not Available
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H2, 13, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Upright/Erect
Flower Color
Pink
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Not Available
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Not Available
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Ovate
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
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
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
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
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Allergy
no allergic reactions
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
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
Skin Problems
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
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Devil's Backbone
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Devil's Backbone
In German
Elephant Bush
Devil's Backbone
In French
Elephant Bush
Backbone du Diable
In Spanish
elefante Bush
El espinazo del diablo
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Devil's Backbone
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Espinha do Diabo
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Kręgosłup diabła
In Latin
bush elephant
Narum diaboli
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Malpighiales
Family
Portulacaceae
Crassulaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Euphorbia
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Not Available
Euphorbieae
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Euphorbioideae
Number of Species
Not Available
Season and Care of Elephant Bush and Devils Backbone
Season and care of Elephant Bush and Devils Backbone is important to know. While considering everything about Elephant Bush and Devils Backbone Care, growing season is an essential factor. Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Devils Backbone season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand and for Devils Backbone is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Devils Backbone is Neutral, Alkaline.
Elephant Bush and Devils Backbone Physical Information
Elephant Bush and Devils Backbone physical information is very important for comparison. Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm whereas Devils Backbone height is 90.00 cm and width 30.00 cm. The color specification of Elephant Bush and Devils Backbone are as follows:
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Devils Backbone flower color: Purple, Orange, Pink and Magenta
- Devils Backbone leaf color: Green, Gray Green and Burgundy
Care of Elephant Bush and Devils Backbone
Care of Elephant Bush and Devils Backbone 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 Devils Backbone pruning is done 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 Devils Backbone needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.