Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
North America, United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, Canada
Southern Africa
Types
Blue False Indigo
White False Indigo
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
gardens, Grassland, Warmer regions
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
2-8
10-12
Sunset Zone
A1, A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
Light Green
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green, Gray Green, Gray
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green, Gray Green, Gray
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Light Green, Gray Green, Gray
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Succulent
Plant Season
Summer, Fall
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
Late Spring
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Moderate
Less Watering
In Winter
Average Water
Less Watering
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Yes
No
Foliage Texture
Fine
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
-
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Indoor Plant
No
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
AMORPHA canescens
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
False Indigo
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
इंडिगो
Elephant Bush
In German
falsches Indigo
Elephant Bush
In French
faux Indigo
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Falso Indigo
elefante Bush
In Greek
Λάθος Indigo
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
false Indigo
elefante de Bush
In Polish
fałsz Indigo
Elephant Bush
In Latin
falsum indicum
bush elephant
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Order
Fabales
Caryophyllales
Family
Fabaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Amorpha
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
-
Portulacarioideae
Season and Care of False Indigo and Elephant Bush
Season and care of False Indigo and Elephant Bush is important to know. While considering everything about False Indigo and Elephant Bush Care, growing season is an essential factor. False Indigo season is Summer and Fall and Elephant Bush season is Summer and Fall. The type of soil for False Indigo is Loam, Sand and for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for False Indigo is Neutral, Alkaline and for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
False Indigo and Elephant Bush Physical Information
False Indigo and Elephant Bush physical information is very important for comparison. False Indigo height is 60.00 cm and width 120.00 cm whereas Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm. The color specification of False Indigo and Elephant Bush are as follows:
False Indigo flower color: Purple
False Indigo leaf color: Light Green, Gray Green and Gray
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
- Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Care of False Indigo and Elephant Bush
Care of False Indigo and Elephant Bush include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. False Indigo pruning is done Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches and Remove dead leaves and 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. In summer False Indigo needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water. Whereas, in summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering.