Life Span
Perennial
Annual
Origin
Southern Africa
Central America, Mexico
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Slicing, Pickling and burpless
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Floodplains, Wet forest
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
7-8
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 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
Yellow, Gold
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Green
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green, Dark Green, Yellow green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
-
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Heart-shaped
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Summer, Fall
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Very Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Indeterminate
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Keep ground moist, Requires a lot of watering, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam
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
Prune after flowering, Remove shoots
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Compost, organic fertlizers
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Bacteria wilt, Fungal Diseases, fungus, Fusarium wilt, Leaf spot, Striped cucumber beetles
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Cold climate
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Ants, Birds, Flying insects, Insects, Rats, Squirrels
Allergy
-
Throat itching, Vomiting
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
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
Food for animals, Food for birds
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Antioxidants, Combats Stress, Fiber, Improve heart health, Indigestion, Inflammation, Rich in Iron
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Fruits, Seeds
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 Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Vine
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
MELOTHRIA scabra
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Mexican Sour Gherkins, cucamelon
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Mousemelon
In German
Elephant Bush
Maus Melone
In French
Elephant Bush
Mousemelon
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Mousemelon
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
πεπόνι ποντίκι
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
melão rato
In Polish
Elephant Bush
mysz melona
In Latin
bush elephant
mouse melon
Phylum
Embryophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Cucurbitales
Family
Portulacaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Cucumis
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Cucurbitoideae
Season and Care of Elephant Bush and Mouse Melon
Season and care of Elephant Bush and Mouse Melon is important to know. While considering everything about Elephant Bush and Mouse Melon Care, growing season is an essential factor. Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Mouse Melon season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand and for Mouse Melon is Loam while the PH of soil for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Mouse Melon is Neutral.
Elephant Bush and Mouse Melon Physical Information
Elephant Bush and Mouse Melon physical information is very important for comparison. Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm whereas Mouse Melon height is 15.20 cm and width 180.00 cm. The color specification of Elephant Bush and Mouse Melon are as follows:
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Mouse Melon flower color: Yellow and Gold
- Mouse Melon leaf color: Light Green
Care of Elephant Bush and Mouse Melon
Care of Elephant Bush and Mouse Melon 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 Mouse Melon pruning is done Prune after flowering and Remove shoots. In summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering. Whereas, in summer Mouse Melon needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.