Life Span
Annual and Perennial
Perennial
Type
Grass
Succulent
Origin
North America, United States, Western United States, Southwestern United States, Mexico
Southern Africa
Types
Bouteloua gracilis
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
1430
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Open Plains, Prairies
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
3-910-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
9 - 5
10-1
Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
91.44 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
91.44 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Blue Violet
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
-
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Blue Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Purple, Blue Green, Tan
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Grass like
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Pollution, Drought
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, Medium
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
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
-
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, Pollution
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
✔
✘
✔
✘
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
Fine
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies, Flying insects
Butterflies
Allergy
Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Hay fever, Pollen, Respiratory problems, Runny nose, Watery eyes
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Ground Cover
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, soil erosion prevension on hill slopes, Wildlife
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Cuts
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Seeds, Whole plant
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Used As Food
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
Dried Flower/Everlasting, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
BOUTELOUA gracilis 'Blonde Ambition'
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass, Blue Grama Grass
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Blue Grama Grass
Elephant Bush
In German
Blau Grama Grass
Elephant Bush
In French
Boutelou gracieux
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Azul Grama Grass
elefante Bush
In Greek
Μπλε Grama Grass
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Azul Grama Grama
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Niebieski Grama Trawa
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Blue Grama Grass
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Lilopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Cyperales
Caryophyllales
Family
Poaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Bouteloua
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
-
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
501
1
27800
👆🏻