Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Needled or Scaled Evergreen
Origin
Southern Africa
Western United States
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Picea omorika
Number of Varieties
3035
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Rocky areas, stream banks, Woodland Garden Canopy
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-122-8
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
8-1
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, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Pyramidal
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm1,200.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm900.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Green, Orange, Purple
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Blue Green, Steel Blue
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Blue Green, Steel Blue
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green, Blue Green, Steel Blue
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Blue Green, Gray Green, Steel Blue
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Needle like
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, Late Spring, Mid Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Semi-ripe cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Requires regular 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
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 winter, Remove crossing or rubbing branches, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Apply 10-10-10 amount, slow-release fertilizers
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Flowers
✔
✘
✔
✘
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
Glossy
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds
Allergy
-
allergic reaction, Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Hay fever, Pollen, Respiratory problems, Runny nose, Watery eyes
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes, Used as Christmas tree
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, Windbreak
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
-
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Flowers, Inner Bark, Seeds
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Paper pulp, Wood is used in construction
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Screening, Wind Break
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
PICEA pungens
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Colorado blue spruce
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Blue Spruce Tree
In German
Elephant Bush
Blue Spruce Baum
In French
Elephant Bush
Blue Spruce Arbre
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Blue Spruce Árbol
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Blue Spruce Tree
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Árvore Spruce azul
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Blue Spruce Drzewo
In Latin
bush elephant
Blue abiegnis
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Coniferophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Pinopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Pinales
Family
Portulacaceae
Pinaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Picea
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
-
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Piceoideae
Number of Species
135
1
27800
👆🏻