Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, South-Central United States, Texas
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Aralia spinosa
Number of Varieties
301
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Dappled Shade, Shady Edge, Woodland Garden Secondary
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-124-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
9-1
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Thicket/Colonizing
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm300.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm460.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
White, Green, Ivory
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Purple, Black
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Blue Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Blue Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Yellow, Green, Purple, Blue Green, Dark Green, Yellow green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
bipinnate
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
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Summer
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Pollution, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Cuttings, Divison, Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Needs high amount of water
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
Clay, 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
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Aphids, Leaf spot, Mealybugs
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
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Bees, Butterflies, Insects
Allergy
-
Skin irritation
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Borders, Woodland margins
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
Alterative, Analgesic, Diaphoretic, Opthalmic
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Bark, Leaves, Root
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used as a potherb
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
ARALIA spinosa
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
American Angelica Tree, Devil's Walking Stick, Hercules' Club
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Devil's Walking Stick
In German
Elephant Bush
Teufelsspazierstock
In French
Elephant Bush
Walking bâton du diable
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Bastón del Diablo
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Περπάτημα Stick διαβόλου
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Vara andando de diabo
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Diabelski laska
In Latin
bush elephant
Virgam diaboli
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Apiales
Family
Portulacaceae
Araliaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Aralia
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Aralioideae
Number of Species
130
1
27800
👆🏻