Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
North America, United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, South-Central United States, Texas, Canada
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Japanese beech, European beech
Number of Varieties
3018
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
low mountains, shaded woods
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-124-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
9-1
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm800.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm500.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Yellow green, Tan
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Sandy Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Gold, Tan, Sandy Brown
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Lanceolate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Slow
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Well drained
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Dry soil, Full Sun, Salt and Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Needs very little water, occasional watering once established
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Cut upper 1/3 section when young to enhancegrowth, Prune to control growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Compost, Fertilize the soil before planting
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Aphids, Beech bark disease, fungus, Mildew, Scale
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Full Sun, Salt and Soil Compaction
Flowers
Showy
Insignificant
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
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Bees, Birds, Hummingbirds, songbirds
Allergy
-
Itchiness, Pulmonary oedema, Sinuses
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Speed hair growth, Stops hair loss
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification, Shadow Tree, Wild areas
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Antioxidants, Antiseptic, Digestion problems, Headache, Kidney problems, Pain killer
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Leaves, Sap, Wood
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Decorative veneers, flooring, paneling, Grown for shade, Used as firewood, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Wood is used for making furniture
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
FAGUS grandifolia
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
American Beech
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
अमेरिकन बीच
In German
Elephant Bush
Amerikanische Buche
In French
Elephant Bush
Hêtre à grandes feuilles
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Fagus grandifolia, el haya americana
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
american οξιάς
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
faia americano
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Buk wielkolistny
In Latin
bush elephant
Latin fagi
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Fagales
Family
Portulacaceae
Fagaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Fagus
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
-
Number of Species
113
1
27800
👆🏻