Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Succulent
Origin
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, South-Central United States, Texas
Southern Africa
Types
Aralia spinosa
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
130
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dappled Shade, Shady Edge, Woodland Garden Secondary
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
4-910-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
9-1
10-1
Sunset Zone
3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Thicket/Colonizing
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
300.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
460.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White, Green, Ivory
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Purple, Black
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Blue Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Blue Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Yellow, Green, Purple, Blue Green, Dark Green, Yellow green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
bipinnate
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Summer
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Pollution, Soil Compaction
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Cuttings, Divison, Seedlings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Needs high amount of 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
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, 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
Aphids, Leaf spot, Mealybugs
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
Showy
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Bees, Butterflies, Insects
Butterflies
Allergy
Skin irritation
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Borders, Woodland margins
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
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
Alterative, Analgesic, Diaphoretic, Opthalmic
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Bark, Leaves, Root
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Used as a potherb
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
Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
ARALIA spinosa
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
American Angelica Tree, Devil's Walking Stick, Hercules' Club
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Devil's Walking Stick
Elephant Bush
In German
Teufelsspazierstock
Elephant Bush
In French
Walking bâton du diable
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Bastón del Diablo
elefante Bush
In Greek
Περπάτημα Stick διαβόλου
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Vara andando de diabo
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Diabelski laska
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Virgam diaboli
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Apiales
Caryophyllales
Family
Araliaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Aralia
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Aralioideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
301
1
27800
👆🏻