Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Grass
Succulent
Origin
China
Southern Africa
Types
Greenstripe Vivax, Moso, Weavers Bamboo, Oldhamii
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
130
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Forest margins, gardens, Grassland, Tropical regions
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-1510-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
10-1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 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
Clump-Forming
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
460.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
60.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
-
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
-
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Light Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Light Green, Dark Green
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Grass like
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
-
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Transplanting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Keep the ground moist but not water-logged, Requires regular watering, Use and maintain water-efficient soaker hoses, Use Mulches to help prevent water loss during hot and windy weather, Water every two or three days during warmer months, Water twice a day in the initial period
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
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
Flowers
-
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
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds
Butterflies
Allergy
-
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification
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
Whole plant
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Culinary use, Used in construction, Used in Furniture, Used in making musical instruments, Used in paper industry
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, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
BAMBUSA multiplex 'Alphonso-Karrii'
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Alphonse Karr Bamboo, Clumping Bamboo, Hedge Bamboo
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
अल्फोंस Karr बांस
Elephant Bush
In German
Alphonse Karr Bamboo
Elephant Bush
In French
Alphonse Karr Bamboo
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Alphonse Karr Bambú
elefante Bush
In Greek
Alphonse Karr Μπαμπού
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Alphonse Karr Bamboo
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Alphonse Karr Bamboo
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Alphonse Karr Bamboo
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
-
Embryophyta
Class
-
Magnoliopsida
Order
Poales
Caryophyllales
Family
Poaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Bambusa
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Bambuseae
-
Subfamily
Bambusoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
601
1
27800
👆🏻