Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
Southeastern Asia, India
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Red Malabar Spinach, Green Malabar Spinach
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Hot climate regions, Humid climates
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
-9999
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Vining/Climbing
Flower Color
Pink
Red, Green, Orange Red
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
White, Ivory
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Purple, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Purple, Gray Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Heart-shaped
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Leaf Cutting, Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Do not let dry out between waterings, Requires consistently moist soil
In Summer
Ample Water
Average Water
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
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
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Nitrogen
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Aphids
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, 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
Folate, Iron, Low calories, Low Fats, Rich in Potassium, ß-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Leaves
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Food
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Edible, Groundcover, Herb / Vegetable, Tropical, Vine
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
BASELLA alba
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Ceylon Spinach, Malabar Spinach, Red Malabar Spinach
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
पोई
In German
Elephant Bush
Malabarspinat
In French
Elephant Bush
L’épinard de Malabar
In Spanish
elefante Bush
espinaca de Malabar
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Malabar Σπανάκι
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Malabar espinafre
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Szpinak Malabar
In Latin
bush elephant
Spinach Malabar
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Eudicotyledones
Order
Caryophyllales
Caryophyllales
Family
Portulacaceae
Basellaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Basella
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
-
Season and Care of Elephant Bush and Malabar Spinach
Season and care of Elephant Bush and Malabar Spinach is important to know. While considering everything about Elephant Bush and Malabar Spinach Care, growing season is an essential factor. Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Malabar Spinach season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand and for Malabar Spinach is Clay, Loam while the PH of soil for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Malabar Spinach is Neutral.
Elephant Bush and Malabar Spinach Physical Information
Elephant Bush and Malabar Spinach physical information is very important for comparison. Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm whereas Malabar Spinach height is 2.40 cm and width 24.00 cm. The color specification of Elephant Bush and Malabar Spinach are as follows:
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Malabar Spinach flower color: Red, Green and Orange Red
- Malabar Spinach leaf color: Green and Light Green
Care of Elephant Bush and Malabar Spinach
Care of Elephant Bush and Malabar Spinach 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 Spinach pruning is done Remove damaged leaves and Remove dead leaves. In summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering. Whereas, in summer Malabar Spinach needs Average Water and in winter, it needs Average Water.