Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Succulent
Origin
Southeastern United States, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America
Southern Africa
Types
Guaiacum officinale
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
330
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Coastal Regions, Dry and Young forest Heaths, Thickets, Woodlands
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-1510-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
10-1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
300.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
370.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Violet, Blue Violet
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Yellow, Red
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Olive
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Olive
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Olive
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Egg-shaped
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Very Slow
Fast
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 Spring, Spring, Late Winter, Indeterminate
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Salt
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Requires watering in the growing season
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Consistently
Ample Water
In Spring
Average Water
Less Watering
In Winter
Moderate
Less Watering
Soil
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
Prune to stimulate growth
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
Fertilize three times a year
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
fungus, Mealybugs, Scale, Spider mites
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Salt
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
Showy
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Fine
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies
Butterflies
Allergy
Skin irritation
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
-
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Bark, Sap
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
used for making roof trusses, poles, joists, piles, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
GUAIACUM sanctum
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Holy-wood, Lignum Vitae
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Lignum Vitae
Elephant Bush
In German
Lignum Vitae
Elephant Bush
In French
Lignum Vitae
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Palo santo
elefante Bush
In Greek
Lignum Vitae
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
pau-santo
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Lignum Vitae
Elephant Bush
In Latin
lignum Vitae
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Sapindales
Caryophyllales
Family
Zygophyllaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Guaiacum
Portulacaria
Clade
-
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
-
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
31
1
27800
👆🏻