Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Flowering Plants
Succulent
Origin
Southwestern United States, California
Southern Africa
Types
-
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
Dry areas, meadows
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
4-9
10-12
Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color
Crimson
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Leaf Shape
Oblong
Succulent
Plant Season
Summer
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Late Spring
Tolerances
-
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Do Not over Water, Requires watering in the growing season, Water Deeply, Water when soil is dry
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
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
No pruning needed in the early stages, Prune to stimulate growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove deadheads
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, Apply 10-10-10 amount
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Insects
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Butterflies
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
Burns, Snakebite, Stomach aliments
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
Container, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
PENSTEMON eatonii
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Firecracker Penstemon
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Firecracker penstemon
Elephant Bush
In German
Kracher penstemon
Elephant Bush
In French
Firecracker penstemon
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Penstemon del petardo
elefante Bush
In Greek
πυροτέχνημα penstemon
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Penstemon do foguete
elefante de Bush
In Polish
petarda penstemon
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Firecracker Persicaria
bush elephant
Order
Lamiales
Caryophyllales
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Penstemon
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
-
Portulacarioideae
Season and Care of Firecracker Penstemon and Elephant Bush
Season and care of Firecracker Penstemon and Elephant Bush is important to know. While considering everything about Firecracker Penstemon and Elephant Bush Care, growing season is an essential factor. Firecracker Penstemon season is Summer and Elephant Bush season is Summer. The type of soil for Firecracker Penstemon is Loam, Sand and for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Firecracker Penstemon is Neutral, Alkaline and for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Firecracker Penstemon and Elephant Bush Physical Information
Firecracker Penstemon and Elephant Bush physical information is very important for comparison. Firecracker Penstemon height is 61.00 cm and width 25.40 cm whereas Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm. The color specification of Firecracker Penstemon and Elephant Bush are as follows:
Firecracker Penstemon flower color: Crimson
Firecracker Penstemon leaf color: Green
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
- Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Care of Firecracker Penstemon and Elephant Bush
Care of Firecracker Penstemon and Elephant Bush include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Firecracker Penstemon pruning is done No pruning needed in the early stages, Prune to stimulate growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves and Remove deadheads 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 Firecracker Penstemon 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.