Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
North America, United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Canada
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Autumn Flame, October Brilliance, Tiliford
Number of Varieties
30120
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Forests, Wide range of ecological site
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-123-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
9-1
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm1,220.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm1,220.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Red
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Red, Green, Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Yellow, Red, Orange, Yellow green, Gold, Dark Red, Orange Red
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Maple shaped
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Medium
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
Early Spring, Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Wet Site, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Vegetative Reproduction
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Water Deeply, Water when top layer of soil becomes dry
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil
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
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 dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
General garden fertilizer, No need to fertilize every year
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Anthracnose, Bleeding canker, Decline, Fomes root rot, Ganoderma root rot, Laetiporus root rot, Leaf spot, Powdery mildew, Tar spot, Verticillium Wilt
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Flowers
Showy
Insignificant
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
-
Allergy
-
breathing problems, Eczema, flushing of face, Hives, Low blood pressure, Oral cavity, Rapid Heartbeat, Runny nose, Watery eyes
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
-
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
-
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Whole plant
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Edible syrup, Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
ACER rubrum
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Northern Red Maple, Red Maple
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
लाल मेपल के पेड़
In German
Elephant Bush
Red Maple Tree
In French
Elephant Bush
Red Maple Tree
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Árbol de arce rojo
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Red Maple Tree
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Árvore de bordo vermelho
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Red Maple Tree
In Latin
bush elephant
Rubrum Maple ligno
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Sapindales
Family
Portulacaceae
Aceraceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Acer
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
-
Number of Species
1128
1
27800
👆🏻