Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tender Perennial
Succulent
Origin
Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Types
Perennial
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
Desert, Mediterranean region, Subtropical climates, Temperate Regions
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-10
10-12
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 8, 9, 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
Clump-Forming
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color
Yellow, Light Yellow, Brown
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Green, Brown
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Light Green
Green
Leaf Shape
Grass like
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
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
Late Spring
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Rhizome division, Seedlings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Requires regular watering
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
Clay, 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 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
Any balanced general purpose fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Nematodes, Scale
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
Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Butterflies
Allergy
Skin irritation
-
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
Ethnobotanic
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
-
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Root
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Roots were worn to protect and strengthen the wearer, 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
Bog Garden, Container, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Tropical, Water Gardens
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
DIETES bicolor
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
African iris, Fortnight lily
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
African Iris
Elephant Bush
In German
Afrikanische Iris
Elephant Bush
In French
African Iris
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Iris africano
elefante Bush
In Greek
Αφρικανική Iris
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Iris africano
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Afryki Iris
Elephant Bush
In Latin
African Iris
bush elephant
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Asparagales
Caryophyllales
Family
Iridaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Dietes
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Monocots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
Iridoideae
Portulacarioideae
Importance of African Iris and Elephant Bush
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of African Iris and Elephant Bush. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare African Iris and Elephant Bush as they differ in many characteristics such as their life, care, benefits, facts, etc. Every gardener must at least have the slightest clue about the plants he wants to plant in his garden. Compare their benefits, which differ in many ways like facts and uses. The medicinal use of African Iris is whereas of Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat. African Iris has beauty benefits as follows: while Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: .
Compare Facts of African Iris vs Elephant Bush
How to choose the best garden plant for your garden depending upon its facts? Here garden plant comparison will help you to solve this query. Compare the facts of African Iris vs Elephant Bush and know which one to choose. As garden plants have benefits and other uses, allergy is also a major drawback of plants for some people. Allergic reactions of African Iris are Skin irritation whereas of Elephant Bush have respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. African Iris has no showy fruits and Elephant Bush has no showy fruits. Also African Iris is not flowering and Elephant Bush is not flowering . You can compare African Iris and Elephant Bush facts and facts of other plants too.