Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
India, Nepal, China
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Not Available
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Mountains
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
5-7
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
Flower Color
Pink
Tan, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Not Available
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
Not Available
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Cordiform
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Not Available
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Grafting, Stem Cutting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
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 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
Not Available
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Not Available
Allergy
no allergic reactions
Not Available
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
Weightloss
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification
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
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
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
Phylum
Embryophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Fagales
Family
Portulacaceae
Betulaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Betula
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Not Available
Not Available
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Not Available
Number of Species
Not Available
Not Available
Importance of Elephant Bush and Himalayan Birch
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Elephant Bush and Himalayan Birch. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Elephant Bush and Himalayan Birch 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 Himalayan Birch is anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, Antioxidants, Antiseptic and Carminative. Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation and Skin Problems while Himalayan Birch 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 Himalayan Birch
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 Himalayan Birch 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 Himalayan Birch have Not Available respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Elephant Bush has no showy fruits and Himalayan Birch has no showy fruits. Also Elephant Bush is not flowering and Himalayan Birch is not flowering . You can compare Elephant Bush and Himalayan Birch facts and facts of other plants too.
