Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Tender Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Perennial
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Desert, Mediterranean region, Subtropical climates, Temperate Regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
8-10
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Clump-Forming
Flower Color
Pink
Yellow, Light Yellow, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Green, Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Light Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Grass like
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Indeterminate
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Rhizome division, Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Requires regular watering
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Any balanced general purpose fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Nematodes, Scale
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Allergy
-
Skin irritation
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
-
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Ethnobotanic
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
-
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Root
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Roots were worn to protect and strengthen the wearer, Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Bog Garden, Container, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Tropical, Water Gardens
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
DIETES bicolor
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
African iris, Fortnight lily
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
African Iris
In German
Elephant Bush
Afrikanische Iris
In French
Elephant Bush
African Iris
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Iris africano
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Αφρικανική Iris
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Iris africano
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Afryki Iris
In Latin
bush elephant
African Iris
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Asparagales
Family
Portulacaceae
Iridaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Dietes
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Monocots
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Iridoideae
Importance of Elephant Bush and African Iris
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Elephant Bush and African Iris. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Elephant Bush and African Iris 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 Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat whereas of African Iris is . Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation and Skin Problems while African Iris has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation and Skin Problems.
Compare Facts of Elephant Bush vs African Iris
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 Elephant Bush vs African Iris 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 Elephant Bush are whereas of African Iris have Skin irritation respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Elephant Bush has no showy fruits and African Iris has no showy fruits. Also Elephant Bush is not flowering and African Iris is not flowering . You can compare Elephant Bush and African Iris facts and facts of other plants too.