Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Mexico, Central America
Southern Africa
Types
Sechium edule, Mirliton, Vegetable Pear
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
Hillside
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-15
10-12
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Vining/Climbing
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color
Light Green
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Green
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Leaf Shape
Irregular
Succulent
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
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, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
Late Spring
Tolerances
Dry Conditions
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, vegetative cuttings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
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 pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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
Remove damaged fruit, 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
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Powdery mildew, Red blotch, Soft scales
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Dry Conditions
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
Insignificant
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Bees, Flying insects
Butterflies
Aesthetic Uses
Farmland
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin
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
Acne, Anti-oxidant, constipation, Thyroid problems
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Fruits, Leaves, Root, Stem
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Culinary use, 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
No
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Edible, Herb, Vegetable, Tropical, Vine
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
SECHIUM edule
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Chayote, Choko, christophene, christophine, cho-cho, pipinola
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Chayote
Elephant Bush
In German
Chayote
Elephant Bush
In French
Chayote
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Chayote
elefante Bush
In Greek
Chayote
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
chuchu
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Chayote
Elephant Bush
In Latin
chayote
bush elephant
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Violales
Caryophyllales
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Sechium
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
Cucurbitoideae
Portulacarioideae
Importance of Chayote and Elephant Bush
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Chayote and Elephant Bush. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Chayote 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 Chayote is Acne, Anti-oxidant, constipation and Thyroid problems whereas of Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat. Chayote has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin while Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin.
Compare Facts of Chayote 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 Chayote 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 Chayote are whereas of Elephant Bush have respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Chayote has no showy fruits and Elephant Bush has no showy fruits. Also Chayote is not flowering and Elephant Bush is not flowering . You can compare Chayote and Elephant Bush facts and facts of other plants too.