Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Succulent
Origin
Southeastern Asia, India
Southern Africa
Types
Saraca asoca
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
130
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Forests, Subtropical forests
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-1510-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
10-1
Sunset Zone
H2
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
850.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
1,220.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Yellow, Orange, Gold, Crimson
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Dark Red, Dark Salmon
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Pink, Copper
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Dark Green
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Pinnate
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
-
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Never Over-water, 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
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
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
organic fertlizers
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
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
Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Butterflies
Allergy
-
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Showy Purposes
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
Bleeding, hemorrhoids, Used as a sedative
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Bark, Leaves
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Used for its medicinal properties
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, Shade Trees, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
SARACA indica
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Ashoka Tree, Sorrowless Tree
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Saraca इंडिका
Elephant Bush
In German
SARACA indica
Elephant Bush
In French
Saraca indica
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
indica Saraca
elefante Bush
In Greek
Saraca indica
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Saraca indica
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Saraca indica
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Saraca indica
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fabales
Caryophyllales
Family
Fabaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Saraca
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Detarieae
-
Subfamily
-
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
41
1
27800
👆🏻