Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
not available
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
bottomlands, Depression on prairies, ditches, Floodplains, Riverbanks, stream banks, Swamps
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
4-9
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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
Oval or Rounded
Flower Color
Pink
Yellow, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Black
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Not Available
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Oval with a pointed tip and fine teeth along their edges
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
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Spring
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Requires a lot of watering, Requires regular watering
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
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
Prune in the late winter or spring, 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, No need to fertilize every year
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Aphids, Red blotch, Sawfly Larvae
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Pollution, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Flower Petal Number
Single
Not Available
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Not Available
Allergy
no allergic reactions
Asthma
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
Erosion control, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
No Medicinal Use
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
used for making roof trusses, poles, joists, piles, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
BETULA nigra
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
River Birch
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
River Birch
In German
Elephant Bush
Fluss Birch
In French
Elephant Bush
Birch river
In Spanish
elefante Bush
river Birch
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
ποταμός Birch
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
river Birch
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Rzeka Birch
In Latin
bush elephant
Betula
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Fagales
Family
Portulacaceae
Betulaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Betula
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Not Available
Not Available
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Not Available
Number of Species
Not Available
Not Available
Season and Care of Elephant Bush and River Birch
Season and care of Elephant Bush and River Birch is important to know. While considering everything about Elephant Bush and River Birch Care, growing season is an essential factor. Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and River Birch season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand and for River Birch is Clay, Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for River Birch is Acidic, Neutral.
Elephant Bush and River Birch Physical Information
Elephant Bush and River Birch physical information is very important for comparison. Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm whereas River Birch height is 1,220.00 cm and width 1,220.00 cm. The color specification of Elephant Bush and River Birch are as follows:
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
River Birch flower color: Yellow and Brown
- River Birch leaf color: Green and Light Green
Care of Elephant Bush and River Birch
Care of Elephant Bush and River Birch 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 River Birch pruning is done Prune in the late winter or spring, Remove dead or diseased plant parts and Shape and thin as needed. In summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering. Whereas, in summer River Birch needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.