Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Herbs, Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
South-Eastern Asia
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Not Available
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Semi desert, Wet forest
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
9-11
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
12 - 9
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Not Available
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Clump-Forming
Minimum Width
Not Available
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Not Available
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Dark Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Elliptic
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Very Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, 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
Wet Site
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Stem Cutting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Average Water Needs, Needs good drainage
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
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
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 away fading foliage, Cut upper 1/3 section when young to enhancegrowth, 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, Don't use high pH fertilizers
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Aphids, Downy mildew, Dry root rot, Rust, Spider mites
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Heat Tolerance, Humidity
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Aphids, Bees, Butterflies, Snails
Allergy
no allergic reactions
Dizziness, Mouth itching, Vomiting
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
Good Cleanser, Good for the Scalp
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification, Insect Repellent
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Antipyretic, Bronchitis, Cough, Digestive disorders, Ear infections, Expectorant, Laxative, Migraines, Piles, Rheumatism, Throat infection, Treating fever
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Bark, Leaf Stalks, 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, Can be made into a herbal tea, Culinary use, Oil is used for aromatherapy, Used as a laxative
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
Justicia adhatoda
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Malabar nut, Adulsa, Adhatoda, Vasaka
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
अडुळसा, अडुसा
In German
Elephant Bush
Indisches Lungenkraut
In French
Elephant Bush
Justicia adhatoda
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Justicia adhatoda
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Justicia adhatoda
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Justicia adhatoda
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Justicia adhatoda
In Latin
bush elephant
Justicia adhatoda
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Scrophulariales
Family
Portulacaceae
Acanthaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Justicia
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Monocots
Tribe
Not Available
Justicieae
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Acanthoideae
Number of Species
Not Available
Season and Care of Elephant Bush and Malabar nut
Season and care of Elephant Bush and Malabar nut is important to know. While considering everything about Elephant Bush and Malabar nut Care, growing season is an essential factor. Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Malabar nut season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand and for Malabar nut is Clay, Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Malabar nut is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Elephant Bush and Malabar nut Physical Information
Elephant Bush and Malabar nut physical information is very important for comparison. Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm whereas Malabar nut height is 460.00 cm and width Not Available. The color specification of Elephant Bush and Malabar nut are as follows:
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Malabar nut flower color: White
- Malabar nut leaf color: Dark Green
Care of Elephant Bush and Malabar nut
Care of Elephant Bush and Malabar nut 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 Malabar nut pruning is done Cut away fading foliage, Cut upper 1/3 section when young to enhancegrowth, 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 Malabar nut needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.