Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Madagascar
Southern Africa
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-13
10-12
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Green
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Succulent
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, 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
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Late Spring
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
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, 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 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
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Butterflies
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
-
Aesthetic Uses
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
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, 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
No
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Elephant Bush
In German
Devil's Backbone
Elephant Bush
In French
Backbone du Diable
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
elefante Bush
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Narum diaboli
bush elephant
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Caryophyllales
Family
Crassulaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Portulacarioideae
Importance of Devils Backbone and Elephant Bush
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Devils Backbone and Elephant Bush. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Devils Backbone 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 Devils Backbone is Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation and Intestinal worms whereas of Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat. Devils Backbone has beauty benefits as follows: Skin Problems while Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: Skin Problems.
Compare Facts of Devils Backbone 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 Devils Backbone 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 Devils Backbone are Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation and Toxic whereas of Elephant Bush have respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Devils Backbone has no showy fruits and Elephant Bush has no showy fruits. Also Devils Backbone is not flowering and Elephant Bush is not flowering . You can compare Devils Backbone and Elephant Bush facts and facts of other plants too.