Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Succulent
Origin
-
Southern Africa
Types
-
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
1230
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
All sorts of environments
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
7-910-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
9-6
10-1
Sunset Zone
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
Twisted/Contorted
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
460.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
240.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Red
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Oval
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
Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Fall, Late Fall, Early Winter
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Salt
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Budding, Seedlings, Stem Cutting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Allow to dry out slightly between watering, Average Water Needs
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
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Cut leaves after fall, Cut upper 1/3 section when young to enhancegrowth, 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, Compost, fertilize in growing season
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Bacteria wilt, Fungal Diseases, Rats, Red blotch
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Dry soil, Salt and Soil Compaction, Shallow soil
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
Showy
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
allergic conjunctivitis, Itchy eyes, Respiratory problems
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Hanging Basket, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Beautiful Skin, Good for the Scalp, Moisturizing, Remove blemishes
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Absorbs greenhouse gases, Food for animals, Insect Repellent, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shadow Tree
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Acne, Dysentry, Nutritive, osteoporosis
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Fruits, Leaves
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Application in Handicrafts, Biomass for fuel, Oil is used for aromatherapy
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
Feature Plant, Mixed Border
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
Arbutus menziesii
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Arbutus
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
सदाबहार
Elephant Bush
In German
Erdbeerbaum
Elephant Bush
In French
arbousier
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Arbitus
elefante Bush
In Greek
κουμαριά
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
árbuto
elefante de Bush
In Polish
mącznik
Elephant Bush
In Latin
arbutus
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
-
Magnoliopsida
Order
Ericales
Caryophyllales
Family
Ericaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Arbutus
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Arbutoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
81
1
27800
👆🏻