Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Cactus
Origin
Southern Africa
Central America, South America, Brazil
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
cleistocactus strausii, cleistocactus winteri, cleistocactus samaipatanus
Number of Varieties
3015
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-1212-15
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
12-10
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm60.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Red, Orange, Salmon
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
Green, Red
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
-
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
-
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
-
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
-
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Spring, Summer
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Cutting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Reduce watering in winter
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, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
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
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Fertilize the soil before planting, slow-release fertilizers
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Bacterial Stem Rot, fungus, Mealybugs, Spider mites
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
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
-
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Allergy
-
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes, Wild gardens
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
-
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
Florist trade and landscaping, Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
CLEISTOCACTUS
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Cleistocactus
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Cleistocactus
In German
Elephant Bush
Cleistocactus
In French
Elephant Bush
Cleistocactus
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Cleistocactus
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Cleistocactus
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Cleistocactus
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Kleistokaktus
In Latin
bush elephant
Cleistocactus
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Caryophyllales
Family
Portulacaceae
Cactaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Cleistocactus
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
-
Trichocereeae
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Cactoideae
Number of Species
150
1
27800
👆🏻