Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
-
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Lagerstroemia villosa, Lagerstroemia subcostata, Lagerstroemia microcarpa
Number of Varieties
3050
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Coastal Regions, Open Forest, Swamps
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-126-10
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
10-6
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm610.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm300.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Red
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Green, Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Dark Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Dark Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Burgundy, Dark Red
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Cylindrical
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
Clay, Loam
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Summer, Late Summer
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
From bulbs, Seedlings, Seperation, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Needs watering once a week, Requires watering in the growing season
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
Clay, Loam
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 if you want to improve plant shape, 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, fertilize in growing season, Requires high amount of nitrogen
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Beetles, Insects, Powdery mildew, Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Flowers
Showy
Showy
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, Asthma
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Landscape Designing, 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, Food for birds, Food for insects, Nesting sites for birds, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shadow Tree
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
-
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Flowers, Stem, Tree trunks
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, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for woodware, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Mixed Border
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
LAGERSTROEMIA 'Arapaho'
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Hybrid Crapemyrtle
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
क्रेप मेहंदी
In German
Elephant Bush
Crapemyrtle
In French
Elephant Bush
Crapemyrtle
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Crapemyrtle
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Crapemyrtle
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Crapemyrtle
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Crapemyrtle
In Latin
bush elephant
Crapemyrtle
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Spermatophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Myrtales
Family
Portulacaceae
Lythraceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Lagerstroemia
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
Lagerstroemieae
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Lagerstroemieae
Number of Species
150
1
27800
👆🏻