Life Span
Perennial
Biennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
-
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Chinese red birch, Betula fruticosa, Betula ermanii
Number of Varieties
3060
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Rocky areas, Sandy areas, Well Drained, Wet forest, Wet ground, Wet lands
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-124-7
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
7-1
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Pyramidal
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm1,219.20 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm762.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Yellow, Tan
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Bronze, Sandy Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
-
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
-
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Yellow, Red, Orange
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Heart-shaped
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Medium
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Early Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
-
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
Average Water Needs, Medium
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
Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial 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
Prune in early spring, Prune in late winter, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove short branches
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize in late fall, Nitrogen
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
-
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
Ants, Birds, Insects
Allergy
-
Itchiness, Pollen, Sore Throat
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Good for skin, 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, Shadow Tree
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, Bone strength, Dermatitis, Eczema, Eliminate toxins, Heart problems, High cholestrol, Immunity, Kidney problems
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Whole plant
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used in paper industry
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
BETULA 'Crimson Frost'
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Birch, Crimson Frost Birch
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
भोज पत्र
In German
Elephant Bush
Birke
In French
Elephant Bush
Arbre de bouleau
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Abedul
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Birch Tree
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
bétula
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Brzoza
In Latin
bush elephant
Caerulus
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Fagales
Family
Portulacaceae
Betulaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Betula
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Carpinaceae
Number of Species
134
1
27800
👆🏻