Life Span
Annual
Perennial
Origin
Central America, Mexico
Southern Africa
Types
Slicing, Pickling and burpless
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
Floodplains, Wet forest
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
7-8
10-12
Sunset Zone
A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Vining/Climbing
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color
Yellow, Gold
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Green
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Dark Green, Yellow green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Leaf Shape
Heart-shaped
Succulent
Plant Season
Summer, Fall
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Very Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Indeterminate
Late Spring
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Keep ground moist, Requires a lot of watering, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season
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
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Prune after flowering, Remove shoots
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
Compost, organic fertlizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Bacteria wilt, Fungal Diseases, fungus, Fusarium wilt, Leaf spot, Striped cucumber beetles
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Cold climate
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Ants, Birds, Flying insects, Insects, Rats, Squirrels
Butterflies
Allergy
Throat itching, Vomiting
-
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
Food for animals, Food for birds
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
Antioxidants, Combats Stress, Fiber, Improve heart health, Indigestion, Inflammation, Rich in Iron
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Fruits, Seeds
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Vine
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
MELOTHRIA scabra
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Mexican Sour Gherkins, cucamelon
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Mousemelon
Elephant Bush
In German
Maus Melone
Elephant Bush
In French
Mousemelon
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Mousemelon
elefante Bush
In Greek
πεπόνι ποντίκι
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
melão rato
elefante de Bush
In Polish
mysz melona
Elephant Bush
In Latin
mouse melon
bush elephant
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Cucurbitales
Caryophyllales
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Cucumis
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
Cucurbitoideae
Portulacarioideae
Season and Care of Mouse Melon and Elephant Bush
Season and care of Mouse Melon and Elephant Bush is important to know. While considering everything about Mouse Melon and Elephant Bush Care, growing season is an essential factor. Mouse Melon season is Summer and Fall and Elephant Bush season is Summer and Fall. The type of soil for Mouse Melon is Loam and for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Mouse Melon is Neutral and for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Mouse Melon and Elephant Bush Physical Information
Mouse Melon and Elephant Bush physical information is very important for comparison. Mouse Melon height is 15.20 cm and width 180.00 cm whereas Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm. The color specification of Mouse Melon and Elephant Bush are as follows:
Mouse Melon flower color: Yellow and Gold
Mouse Melon leaf color: Light Green
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
- Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Care of Mouse Melon and Elephant Bush
Care of Mouse Melon and Elephant Bush include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Mouse Melon pruning is done Prune after flowering and Remove shoots 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 Mouse Melon 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.