Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Cactus or Succulent
Succulent
Origin
North America, Southwestern United States, Mexico
Southern Africa
Types
Echinocactus parryi, Echinocactus texensis
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
Desert, Gravels, Sandy areas
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-15
10-12
Sunset Zone
12, 13, 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
Flower Color
Yellow, Magenta
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
Yellow
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
-
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
-
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
-
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
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
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Late Spring
Tolerances
Drought, Heat Tolerance, Shade areas
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water, Requires watering in the growing season, Water when top layer of soil becomes dry
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 leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
fertilize in summer, Potassium
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Mealybugs, Spider mites
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Full Sun, Heat Tolerance, Shade areas
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Attracts
Insects, Mealybugs, Spider Mites
Butterflies
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Landscape Designing, 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, Food for insects, Very little waste
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
-
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, 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, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
ECHINOCACTUS
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Golden barrel cactus, Golden ball
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
echinocactus
Elephant Bush
In German
echinocactus
Elephant Bush
In French
echinocactus
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
echinocactus
elefante Bush
In Greek
Echinocactus
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Echinocactus
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Echinocactus
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Echinocactus
bush elephant
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Caryophyllales
Family
Cactaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Echinocactus
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
Cactoideae
Portulacarioideae
Importance of Echinocactus and Elephant Bush
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Echinocactus and Elephant Bush. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Echinocactus 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 Echinocactus is whereas of Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat. Echinocactus has beauty benefits as follows: while Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: .
Compare Facts of Echinocactus 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 Echinocactus 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 Echinocactus are Skin cuts whereas of Elephant Bush have respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Echinocactus has no showy fruits and Elephant Bush has no showy fruits. Also Echinocactus is not flowering and Elephant Bush is not flowering . You can compare Echinocactus and Elephant Bush facts and facts of other plants too.