Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
World/Pandemic
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Abutilion pictum "Mardi Gras"
Abutilon pictum "Thompsonii"
Number of Varieties
Not Available
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
gardens, Marshy ground, meadows, Suburban areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
8-10
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
Clump-Forming
Flower Color
Pink
White, Yellow, Red, Orange, Pink, Peach, Dark Red, Copper, Bronze
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Not Available
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Maple 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
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Indeterminate
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Not Available
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Average Water Needs
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
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
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
Shape and thin as needed
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Insects
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds, Hummingbirds
Allergy
no allergic reactions
no allergic reactions
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Not Available
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
No Medicinal Use
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Flowers
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Culinary use
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Topiary, Bonsai, Espalier, Tropical
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
ABUTILON pictum
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Redvein Abutilon
Chinese-lantern
Red Vein Indian Mallow
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
भारतीय मैलो
In German
Elephant Bush
indische Malve
In French
Elephant Bush
Mallow indienne
In Spanish
elefante Bush
malva india
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Ινδικό Μολόχα
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Mallow indiana
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Indyjski Mallow
In Latin
bush elephant
vitifolium
Phylum
Embryophyta
Not Available
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Malvales
Family
Portulacaceae
Malvaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Abutilon
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Not Available
Malveae
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Malvoideae
Number of Species
Not Available
Season and Care of Elephant Bush and Indian Mallow
Season and care of Elephant Bush and Indian Mallow is important to know. While considering everything about Elephant Bush and Indian Mallow Care, growing season is an essential factor. Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Indian Mallow season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand and for Indian Mallow is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Indian Mallow is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Elephant Bush and Indian Mallow Physical Information
Elephant Bush and Indian Mallow physical information is very important for comparison. Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm whereas Indian Mallow height is 30.00 cm and width 180.00 cm. The color specification of Elephant Bush and Indian Mallow are as follows:
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Indian Mallow flower color: White, Yellow, Red, Orange, Pink, Peach, Dark Red, Copper and Bronze
- Indian Mallow leaf color: Green, Gray Green and Dark Green
Care of Elephant Bush and Indian Mallow
Care of Elephant Bush and Indian Mallow 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 Indian Mallow pruning is done Shape and thin as needed. In summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering. Whereas, in summer Indian Mallow needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.