Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Shrubs
Origin
Southern Africa
Asia, Northeastern Europe
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Garden mum, Tricolor chrysanthemum, Indian chrysanthemum, Corn marigold
Number of Varieties
3013
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
By seashore, Grassland, Thickets
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-123-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
9-2
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Clump-Forming
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm2.50 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm1.50 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Burgandy, Green, Lavender, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Salmon, White, Yellow
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Sea Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green, Sea Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Ovate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Fall, Summer
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Well drained
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Slightly Acidic
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall, Late Summer
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
-
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Grafting, Seedlings, Transplanting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Form a Soil ring to water efficiently, Over-watering can cause leaf problems or root diseases, Prefer drip-irrigation instead of Over-head watering, Requires regular watering, Use Mulches to help prevent water loss during hot and windy weather
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Slightly Acidic
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Well drained
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
Cut or pinch the stems, Prune for shortening long shoots, Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Prune in summer, Prune to control growth, Remove shoots
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Aphids, Botrytis head rot, Caterpillars, Cutworms, Powdery mildew, Rhizoctonia stem rot, Slugs, Spider mites, Thripes
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
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Butterflies
Allergy
-
Asthma, Eczema, Hay fever, Inflammation to sinuses or hives, Skin rash
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bouquets, Showy Purposes
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
Chest pain, Diabetes, Headache, High blood pressure, Swelling
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Leaves
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Employed in herbal medicine, Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
-
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
Chrysanthemums
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Chrysanths
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Chrysanthemums
In German
Elephant Bush
Chrysanthemen
In French
Elephant Bush
Chrysanthèmes
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Crisantemos
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
χρυσάνθεμα
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Crisântemos
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Chryzantemy
In Latin
bush elephant
Chrysanthemums
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Asterales
Family
Portulacaceae
Asteraceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Chrysanthemum
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
-
Tribe
-
Anthemideae
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
-
Number of Species
150
1
27800
👆🏻