Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Cactus or Succulent
Origin
Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Gasteria brachyphylla, Gasteria rawlinsonii
Number of Varieties
Not Available
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Deciduous forests, River side, rocky banks of streams
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
Not Available
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
Not Available
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
13, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Rosette/Stemless
Minimum Height
Not Available
Minimum Width
Not Available
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Not Available
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Not Available
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Not Available
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Tongue shaped
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Bright direct sunlight, Partial Sun
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
Not Available
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Leaf Cutting, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Do Not over Water
In Summer
Ample Water
Less Watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
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
Partial Sun, Partial shade
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 dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Doesn't require fertilization when grown in rich soil
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Fusarium root rot, Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Heat And Humidity
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Not Available
Attracts
Butterflies
Ants, Flies
Allergy
no allergic reactions
Irritation to intestines, Skin rash
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Not Used For Aesthetic Purpose
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
For treating wrinkles, Good for the Scalp
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification, No fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides needed
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Aging, Blood disorders, Laxative
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Leaves, Sap
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Can be made into a herbal tea, Making Shampoo, Oil is used in mosquito repellents
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
Sometimes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
GASTERIA
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Gasteria
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Gasteria
In German
Elephant Bush
Gasteria
In French
Elephant Bush
Gasteria
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Gasteria
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Gasteria
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Gasteria
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Gasteria
In Latin
bush elephant
Gasteria
Phylum
Embryophyta
Not Available
Class
Magnoliopsida
Monocots
Order
Caryophyllales
Asparagales
Family
Portulacaceae
Aloaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Gasteria
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Monocots
Tribe
Not Available
Not Available
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Asphodeloideae
Number of Species
Not Available
Importance of Elephant Bush and Gasteria
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Elephant Bush and Gasteria. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Elephant Bush and Gasteria as they differ in many characteristics such as their life, care, benefits, facts, etc. Every gardener must at least have the slightest clue about the plants he wants to plant in his garden. Compare their benefits, which differ in many ways like facts and uses. The medicinal use of Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat whereas of Gasteria is Aging, Blood disorders and Laxative. Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation and Skin Problems while Gasteria has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation and Skin Problems.
Compare Facts of Elephant Bush vs Gasteria
How to choose the best garden plant for your garden depending upon its facts? Here garden plant comparison will help you to solve this query. Compare the facts of Elephant Bush vs Gasteria and know which one to choose. As garden plants have benefits and other uses, allergy is also a major drawback of plants for some people. Allergic reactions of Elephant Bush are no allergic reactions whereas of Gasteria have Irritation to intestines and Skin rash respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Elephant Bush has no showy fruits and Gasteria has no showy fruits. Also Elephant Bush is not flowering and Gasteria is not flowering . You can compare Elephant Bush and Gasteria facts and facts of other plants too.