Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Aquatics
Origin
Southern Africa
Eastern Europe, Western Asia
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Common Cattail, Southern Cattail, Dwarf Bulrush
Number of Varieties
3030
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Lake margins, Ponds, Swamps
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-123-11
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
12-1
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
21,22
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm30.50 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm45.70 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Yellow, Green, Brown, Chocolate
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Light brown, Light Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Brown
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Long linear and narrow
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
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
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Poorly Drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Wet Site
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, In Water
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Runners
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Plant grows in water
In Summer
Ample Water
Aquatic Plant
In Spring
Less Watering
Aquatic Plant
In Winter
Less Watering
Aquatic Plant
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Poorly 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 in early spring, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Nitrogen, Phosphate
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
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
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds, Flying insects
Allergy
-
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Showy Purposes, Water gardening
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
Food for animals, Food for birds, Food for insects, Nesting sites for birds
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Nutrients
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
Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Bog Garden, Container, Water Gardens
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
TYPHA minima
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Dwarf Cattail
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
बौना कैटेल
In German
Elephant Bush
Dwarf Rohrkolben
In French
Elephant Bush
Cattail nain
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Espadaña enano
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Νάνος Cattail
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Tifa Dwarf
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Dwarf Ożypałka
In Latin
bush elephant
Pumilio Cattail
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Liliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Poales
Family
Portulacaceae
Typhaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Typha
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
-
Number of Species
11
1
27800
👆🏻