Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, South-Central United States
Southern Africa
Types
Cherry laurel, California Bay Laurel, Spotted laurel
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
Not Available
Habitat
Tropical regions
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
5-9
10-12
Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 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
Oval or Rounded
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color
White, Ivory
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Not Available
Fruit Color
Orange Red
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green, Blue Green, Silver
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Light Green, Blue Green, Silver
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Yellow green, Tan, Silver
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Yellow green, Tan
Green
Leaf Shape
Oval
Succulent
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Late Spring
Tolerances
Wet Site
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Grafting, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Do Not over Water, occasional watering once established
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
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Prune for shortening long shoots, 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
fertilize in growing season
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Beetles, Fusarium wilt, Rust, Scab
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Salt and Soil Compaction, Shade areas
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies
Butterflies
Allergy
allergic conjunctivitis, Nausea, wheezing
no allergic reactions
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
For treating wrinkles, Hair Conditioner, Making cosmetics
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Edible Uses
Sometimes
Yes
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Indoor Air Purification, Insect Repellent
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
Acne, Cancer, Diarrhea, Emollient, Migraines, Oral health, treating poison ivy
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Leaf Stalks, Stem
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Cosmetics, Culinary use, Florist trade and landscaping, Making Perfumes, Oil is used in perfume, soaps, creams, etc., 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
Yes
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Foundation, Shade Trees
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
Laurus nobilis
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Sweetbay
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Laurus nobilis
Elephant Bush
In German
Echter Lorbeer
Elephant Bush
In French
Laurus nobilis
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Laurus nobilis
elefante Bush
In Greek
Laurus nobilis
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Loureiro
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Wawrzyn szlachetny
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Laurus nobilis
bush elephant
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Laurales
Caryophyllales
Family
Magnoliaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Laurus
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Monocots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Epidendreae
Not Available
Subfamily
Epidendroideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
Not Available
Season and Care of Sweetbay and Elephant Bush
Season and care of Sweetbay and Elephant Bush is important to know. While considering everything about Sweetbay and Elephant Bush Care, growing season is an essential factor. Sweetbay season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Sweetbay is Clay, Loam, Sand and for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Sweetbay is Acidic, Neutral and for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Sweetbay and Elephant Bush Physical Information
Sweetbay and Elephant Bush physical information is very important for comparison. Sweetbay height is 460.00 cm and width 300.00 cm whereas Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm. The color specification of Sweetbay and Elephant Bush are as follows:
Sweetbay flower color: White and Ivory
Sweetbay leaf color: Green, Light Green, Blue Green and Silver
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
- Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Care of Sweetbay and Elephant Bush
Care of Sweetbay and Elephant Bush include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Sweetbay pruning is done Prune for shortening long shoots, 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 Sweetbay 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.