Life Span
Perennial
Annual and Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
India
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Not Available
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
8-15
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
21,22
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Spreading
Flower Color
Pink
White, Lavender
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Not Available
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Green, Reddish Plum
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Long Elliptic
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Very Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Poorly Drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Indeterminate
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Wet Site
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less 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, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Poorly 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
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Bacterial leaf spot, Damping-off, Root rot
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds, Hens
Allergy
no allergic reactions
Not Available
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Farmland
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
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Anti-ageing Benefits, Antidiabetic, Reduces toothache, Skin Diseases
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Leaves, Shoots, Stem
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used in curries, soups, stews
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
Sometimes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Tropical, Water Gardens
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
IPOMOEA aquatica
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Swamp Cabbage, Swamp Morning Glory, Water Spinach
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Water Spinach
In German
Elephant Bush
Wasser-Spinat
In French
Elephant Bush
Épinards d'eau
In Spanish
elefante Bush
La espinaca de agua
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Σπανάκι νερό
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Espinafre de água
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Szpinak wodny
In Latin
bush elephant
Water Spinach
Phylum
Embryophyta
Spermatophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Solanales
Family
Portulacaceae
Convolvulaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Ipomoea
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
Not Available
Ipomoeeae
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Not Available
Number of Species
Not Available
Season and Care of Elephant Bush and Water Spinach
Season and care of Elephant Bush and Water Spinach is important to know. While considering everything about Elephant Bush and Water Spinach Care, growing season is an essential factor. Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Water Spinach season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand and for Water Spinach is Clay, Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Water Spinach is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Elephant Bush and Water Spinach Physical Information
Elephant Bush and Water Spinach physical information is very important for comparison. Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm whereas Water Spinach height is 12.70 cm and width 610.00 cm. The color specification of Elephant Bush and Water Spinach are as follows:
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Water Spinach flower color: White and Lavender
- Water Spinach leaf color: Green
Care of Elephant Bush and Water Spinach
Care of Elephant Bush and Water 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 Water Spinach pruning is done Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches and Remove dead leaves. In summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering. Whereas, in summer Water Spinach needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.