Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Melanesia, Australia
Southern Africa
Types
Umbrella plant
Amate
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
gardens, Homesteads, Roadsides, Tropical regions, Woods
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-15
10-12
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color
Red, Pink
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Red, Purple
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Red, Purple
Green
Leaf Shape
Elliptic
Succulent
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
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
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall
Late Spring
Tolerances
Pollution, Soil Compaction
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Transplanting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Do Not over Water, Keep the ground moist but not water-logged, Water occasionally
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
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
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
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Attracts
Birds
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
Arthritis, Asthma, Headache, Rheumatoid arthritis, Stomach pain
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Root
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Employed in herbal medicine, Showy Purposes
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, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Screening / Wind Break, Street Trees, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
SCHEFFLERA actinophylla
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Octopus Tree
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
ऑक्टोपस पेड़
Elephant Bush
In German
Octopus tree
Elephant Bush
In French
arbre Octopus
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
árbol pulpo
elefante Bush
In Greek
χταπόδι δέντρο
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Octopus árvore
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Ośmiornica drzewo
Elephant Bush
In Latin
polypus ligno
bush elephant
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Apiales
Caryophyllales
Family
Araliaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Schefflera
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
Aralioideae
Portulacarioideae
Season and Care of Octopus Tree and Elephant Bush
Season and care of Octopus Tree and Elephant Bush is important to know. While considering everything about Octopus Tree and Elephant Bush Care, growing season is an essential factor. Octopus Tree season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Octopus Tree is Loam, Sand and for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Octopus Tree is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Octopus Tree and Elephant Bush Physical Information
Octopus Tree and Elephant Bush physical information is very important for comparison. Octopus Tree height is 610.00 cm and width 460.00 cm whereas Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm. The color specification of Octopus Tree and Elephant Bush are as follows:
Octopus Tree flower color: Red and Pink
Octopus Tree leaf color: Green and Light Green
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
- Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Care of Octopus Tree and Elephant Bush
Care of Octopus Tree and Elephant Bush include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Octopus Tree 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 Octopus Tree 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.