Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southeastern United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, Caribbean, Central America, South America
Southern Africa
Types
-
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
Swamps
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-13
10-12
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color
White, Burgundy, Dark Red, Light Green, Violet, Dark Salmon
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Multi-Color
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Green
Leaf Shape
Long Linear
Succulent
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
-
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Slightly Acidic
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall
Late Spring
Tolerances
-
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Bulbs, By dividing rhizomes, tubers, Divison
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not 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 pH
Neutral, Slightly Acidic
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, 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
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
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Attracts
Bees, pollinators
Butterflies
Aesthetic Uses
Bouquets, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
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
Cancer, Eye Problems
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Bulbs, Flowers, Leaves
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
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, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Mixed Border
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
PROSTHECHEA cochleata
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Clamshell Orchid, Cockleshell Orchid, Black Orchid
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Clamshell Orchid
Elephant Bush
In German
Clamshell Orchid
Elephant Bush
In French
Clamshell Orchid
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Clamshell Orchid
elefante Bush
In Greek
Encyclia Cochleata
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Clamshell Orchid
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Clamshell Orchid
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Clamshell Orchid
bush elephant
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Orchidales
Caryophyllales
Family
Orchidaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Prosthechea
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Monocots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
Epidendroideae
Portulacarioideae
Importance of Clamshell Orchid and Elephant Bush
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Clamshell Orchid and Elephant Bush. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Clamshell Orchid 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 Clamshell Orchid is Cancer and Eye Problems whereas of Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat. Clamshell Orchid has beauty benefits as follows: while Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: .
Compare Facts of Clamshell Orchid 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 Clamshell Orchid 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 Clamshell Orchid are whereas of Elephant Bush have respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Clamshell Orchid has no showy fruits and Elephant Bush has no showy fruits. Also Clamshell Orchid is not flowering and Elephant Bush is not flowering . You can compare Clamshell Orchid and Elephant Bush facts and facts of other plants too.