Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
Southwestern United States, Texas, Mexico
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
-
Number of Varieties
3025
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Well Drained
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-128-11
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
12-9
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm90.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm150.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
White, Yellow, Ivory
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Black
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Gray Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Gray Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Gray Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Olive, Gray Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Elliptic
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Medium
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
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Fall, Late Fall, Early Winter
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Salt, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Budding, Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Average Water Needs, Do not water frequently, Prefer drip-irrigation instead of Over-head watering
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, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
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
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Apply N-P-K, Phosphorous
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Pests and diseases free, Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Dry Conditions
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
Bold
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Allergy
-
Pollen
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Borders, Cottage Garden, Used in parkland
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
-
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Cough, Rheumatism
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Flowers, Fruits, Leaves
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Shade Trees, Tropical
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
CORDIA boissieri
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Anacahuita, Texas Olive
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Anacahuita
In German
Elephant Bush
Anacahuita
In French
Elephant Bush
anacahuita
In Spanish
elefante Bush
anacahuita
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Anacahuita
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Anacahuita
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Anacahuita
In Latin
bush elephant
Anacahuita
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Boraginales
Family
Portulacaceae
Boraginaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Cordia
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
-
Number of Species
1300
1
27800
👆🏻