Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Cactus or Succulent, Perennial
Succulent
Origin
North America, Central America, South America
Southern Africa
Types
princess of the night, Honolulu queen
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
Desert, Semi desert
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-14
10-12
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
10-1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Narrow Upright/Fastigiate
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color
Light Pink, White
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Pink, Purple, Salmon, Violet
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Succulent
Plant Season
Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Alkaline, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Spring
Late Spring
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Grafting, Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do not let dry out between waterings, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water, Requires consistently moist soil, Requires regular watering
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Average Water
Less Watering
In Winter
Less Watering
Less Watering
Soil pH
Acidic, Alkaline, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
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 to stimulate growth, 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
fertilize every 2-3 weeks while growing
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Scale
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flower Petal Number
Semi-Double
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Birds
Butterflies
Allergy
Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting
-
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Improve hair condition, Improve skin condition
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
Antioxidants, cholesterol-lowering, Fever, Heart problems, Itching, Menstrual Disorders, Rheumatism, Treat Parasitic Intestinal Worms
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Stem
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Decoration Purposes, Economic Purpose, Employed in herbal medicine, Medicinal oil, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant, 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
Yes
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
CEREUS
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Night blooming cereus
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
cereus
Elephant Bush
In German
cereus
Elephant Bush
In French
cereus
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
cereus
elefante Bush
In Greek
cereus
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
cereus
elefante de Bush
In Polish
cereus
Elephant Bush
In Latin
cereus
bush elephant
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Caryophyllales
Family
Cactaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Selenicereus
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
Cactoideae
Portulacarioideae
Importance of Cereus and Elephant Bush
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Cereus and Elephant Bush. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Cereus and Elephant Bush as they differ in many characteristics such as their life, care, benefits, facts, etc. Every gardener must at least have the slightest clue about the plants he wants to plant in his garden. Compare their benefits, which differ in many ways like facts and uses. The medicinal use of Cereus is Antioxidants, cholesterol-lowering, Fever, Heart problems, Itching, Menstrual Disorders, Rheumatism and Treat Parasitic Intestinal Worms whereas of Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat. Cereus has beauty benefits as follows: Improve hair condition and Improve skin condition while Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: Improve hair condition and Improve skin condition.
Compare Facts of Cereus vs Elephant Bush
How to choose the best garden plant for your garden depending upon its facts? Here garden plant comparison will help you to solve this query. Compare the facts of Cereus vs Elephant Bush and know which one to choose. As garden plants have benefits and other uses, allergy is also a major drawback of plants for some people. Allergic reactions of Cereus are Diarrhea, Nausea and Vomiting whereas of Elephant Bush have respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Cereus has showy fruits and Elephant Bush has no showy fruits. Also Cereus is flowering and Elephant Bush is not flowering . You can compare Cereus and Elephant Bush facts and facts of other plants too.