Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Cactus or Succulent, Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
North America, Central America, South America
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
princess of the night, Honolulu queen
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Desert, Semi desert
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
9-14
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
12 - 10
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Narrow Upright/Fastigiate
Flower Color
Pink
Light Pink, White
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Pink, Purple, Salmon, Violet
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Succulent
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Late Spring, Spring
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Grafting, Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Average Water Needs, Do not let dry out between waterings, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water, Requires consistently moist soil, Requires regular watering
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Average Water
In Winter
Less Watering
Less Watering
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
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 to stimulate growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
fertilize every 2-3 weeks while growing
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Scale
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Semi-Double
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds
Allergy
-
Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Improve hair condition, Improve skin condition
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Antioxidants, cholesterol-lowering, Fever, Heart problems, Itching, Menstrual Disorders, Rheumatism, Treat Parasitic Intestinal Worms
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Flowers, Stem
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Decoration Purposes, Economic Purpose, Employed in herbal medicine, Medicinal oil, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
CEREUS
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Night blooming cereus
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
cereus
In German
Elephant Bush
cereus
In French
Elephant Bush
cereus
In Spanish
elefante Bush
cereus
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
cereus
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
cereus
In Polish
Elephant Bush
cereus
In Latin
bush elephant
cereus
Phylum
Embryophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Caryophyllales
Family
Portulacaceae
Cactaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Selenicereus
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Cactoideae
Importance of Elephant Bush and Cereus
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Elephant Bush and Cereus. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Elephant Bush and Cereus as they differ in many characteristics such as their life, care, benefits, facts, etc. Every gardener must at least have the slightest clue about the plants he wants to plant in his garden. Compare their benefits, which differ in many ways like facts and uses. The medicinal use of Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat whereas of Cereus is Antioxidants, cholesterol-lowering, Fever, Heart problems, Itching, Menstrual Disorders, Rheumatism and Treat Parasitic Intestinal Worms. Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation and Skin Problems while Cereus has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation and Skin Problems.
Compare Facts of Elephant Bush vs Cereus
How to choose the best garden plant for your garden depending upon its facts? Here garden plant comparison will help you to solve this query. Compare the facts of Elephant Bush vs Cereus and know which one to choose. As garden plants have benefits and other uses, allergy is also a major drawback of plants for some people. Allergic reactions of Elephant Bush are whereas of Cereus have Diarrhea, Nausea and Vomiting respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Elephant Bush has no showy fruits and Cereus has showy fruits. Also Elephant Bush is not flowering and Cereus is flowering. You can compare Elephant Bush and Cereus facts and facts of other plants too.