Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
India, Nepal, China
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Betula utilis
Number of Varieties
302
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Mountains
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-125-7
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
7-5
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, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Pyramidal
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm1,220.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm760.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Tan, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Yellow green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Yellow
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Cordiform
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
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Early Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
-
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Grafting, Stem Cutting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Requires watering in the growing season
In Summer
Ample Water
Average Water
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
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
Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize in late fall, slow-release fertilizers
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Honey fungus, Leaves with brown tip, Phytophthora Root Rot, Powdery mildew, Verticillium Wilt
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Dry Conditions, waterlogging, Wet Site
Flowers
Showy
Insignificant
Flower Petal Number
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
-
Allergy
-
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Weightloss
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
anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, Antioxidants, Antiseptic, Carminative
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Bark, Leaves
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used in construction, Wood is used in construction
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
BETULA utilis
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Himalayan Birch
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
हिमालय सन्टी
In German
Elephant Bush
Himalaya-Birke
In French
Elephant Bush
bouleau de l'Himalaya
In Spanish
elefante Bush
abedul del Himalaya
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Himalayan σημύδας
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
bétula Himalaia
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Himalayan brzoza
In Latin
bush elephant
Birch Himalayan
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Fagales
Family
Portulacaceae
Betulaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Betula
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
-
Number of Species
130
1
27800
👆🏻