Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
North America, Canada, Mexico
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Panicum abscissum, Panicum acostia, Panicum amarum
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Prairies
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, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Upright/Erect
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Light Green, Blue Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Red, Green, Orange, Blue Green, Gray Green, Bronze
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Tan, Sandy Brown
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Grass like
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, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Pollution, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Divison, Root Division
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, 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, 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
Prune in spring, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove deadheads
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Nitrogen
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Pollution, Soil Compaction
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds, Wildlife
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
Yes
Insignificant
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification, Provides ground cover, soil erosion prevension on hill slopes
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
-
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
Cattle Fodder, Used as Biofuel
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
PANICUM virgatum
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Switchgrass
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Switchgrass
In German
Elephant Bush
Switchgrass
In French
Elephant Bush
switchgrass
In Spanish
elefante Bush
switchgrass
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
switchgrass
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
switchgrass
In Polish
Elephant Bush
switchgrass
In Latin
bush elephant
switchgrass
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Liliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Cyperales
Family
Portulacaceae
Poaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Panicum
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Panicoideae
Season and Care of Elephant Bush and Switchgrass
Season and care of Elephant Bush and Switchgrass is important to know. While considering everything about Elephant Bush and Switchgrass Care, growing season is an essential factor. Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Switchgrass season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand and for Switchgrass is Clay, Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Switchgrass is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Elephant Bush and Switchgrass Physical Information
Elephant Bush and Switchgrass physical information is very important for comparison. Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm whereas Switchgrass height is 150.00 cm and width 90.00 cm. The color specification of Elephant Bush and Switchgrass are as follows:
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Switchgrass flower color: Green
- Switchgrass leaf color: Green, Light Green, Blue Green and Gray Green
Care of Elephant Bush and Switchgrass
Care of Elephant Bush and Switchgrass 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 Switchgrass pruning is done Prune in spring, Remove dead or diseased plant parts and Remove deadheads. In summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering. Whereas, in summer Switchgrass needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.