Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
-
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
-
Number of Varieties
3012
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
All sorts of environments
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-127-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
9-6
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm460.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm240.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
White
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Dark Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Oval
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Slow
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Spring, Late Spring, Fall, Late Fall, Early Winter
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Salt
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Budding, Seedlings, Stem Cutting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Allow to dry out slightly between watering, Average Water Needs
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
Well drained
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
Cut leaves after fall, Cut upper 1/3 section when young to enhancegrowth, 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, Compost, fertilize in growing season
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Aphids, Bacteria wilt, Fungal Diseases, Rats, Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Dry soil, Salt and Soil Compaction, Shallow soil
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
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds
Allergy
-
allergic conjunctivitis, Itchy eyes, Respiratory problems
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Hanging Basket, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Beautiful Skin, Good for the Scalp, Moisturizing, Remove blemishes
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Absorbs greenhouse gases, Food for animals, Insect Repellent, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shadow Tree
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Acne, Dysentry, Nutritive, osteoporosis
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
Animal Feed, Application in Handicrafts, Biomass for fuel, Oil is used for aromatherapy
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Mixed Border
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
Arbutus menziesii
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Arbutus
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
सदाबहार
In German
Elephant Bush
Erdbeerbaum
In French
Elephant Bush
arbousier
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Arbitus
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
κουμαριά
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
árbuto
In Polish
Elephant Bush
mącznik
In Latin
bush elephant
arbutus
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
-
Order
Caryophyllales
Ericales
Family
Portulacaceae
Ericaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Arbutus
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Arbutoideae
Number of Species
18
1
27800
👆🏻