Life Span
Annual
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Succulent
Origin
Melanesia
Southern Africa
Types
-
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
1230
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Subtropical climates, Tropical regions
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-1510-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-1
10-1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
240.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
180.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Red, Green, Copper
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
-
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
White, Yellow, Green, Purple, Orange, Chartreuse, Dark Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Copper, Bronze
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
White, Yellow, Green, Purple, Orange, Chartreuse, Dark Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Copper, Bronze
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
White, Yellow, Green, Purple, Orange, Chartreuse, Dark Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Copper, Bronze
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
White, Yellow, Green, Purple, Orange, Dark Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Copper, Bronze
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Reniform
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
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
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Variety of soil types
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Stem Cutting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs
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
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
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 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
slow-release fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Mites, Soft scales
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Variety of soil types
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
Insignificant
Showy
Flower Petal Number
-
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds
Butterflies
Allergy
bronchial asthma, Rhinoconjunctivitis
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Abdominal Disease, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Cough, Headache, Kidney problems
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Twigs
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Basketary, 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
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
ACALYPHA wilkesiana
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Copperleaf
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Copperleaf
Elephant Bush
In German
Copperleaf
Elephant Bush
In French
Copperleaf
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
copperleaf
elefante Bush
In Greek
Copperleaf
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Copperleaf
elefante de Bush
In Polish
CopperLeaf
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Copperleaf
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Euphorbiales
Caryophyllales
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Acalypha
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Acalypheae
-
Subfamily
Acalyphoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
4621
1
27800
👆🏻