Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Succulent
Origin
Southeastern United States
Southern Africa
Types
Aesculus parviflora
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
230
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Bluffs, Coastal Regions, Stream side, Woods
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
5-910-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
9-1
10-1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Spreading
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
180.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
180.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White, Pink
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Brown
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Lemon yellow, Yellow green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Palmate
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
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
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Salt, Wind
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Cuttings, Seedlings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Keep the Soil well drained, 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, 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 damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead flowers, 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
14-14-14 Fertilizer, Apply N-P-K, slow-release fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Edema, Powdery mildew, Verticillium Wilt
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Salt, Wind
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
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Butterflies
Allergy
Pollen
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, 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, Wildlife
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Antirheumatic, Colic, constipation, Piles
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Seeds
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Used for making soaps
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, Foundation, Screening, Wind Break
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
AESCULUS parviflora
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
bottlebrush buckeye, dwarf horse chestnut
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Bottlebrush Buckeye
Elephant Bush
In German
Buckeye Putzer
Elephant Bush
In French
Bottlebrush Buckeye
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
bottlebrush Buckeye
elefante Bush
In Greek
bottlebrush Buckeye
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Bottlebrush Buckeye
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Bottlebrush Buckeye
Elephant Bush
In Latin
bottlebrush Buckeye
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Sapindales
Caryophyllales
Family
Hippocastanaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Aesculus
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Hippocastanoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
191
1
27800
👆🏻