Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Herbs
Origin
Southern Africa
-
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Thymus citriodorus
Number of Varieties
3015
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
gardens
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12-9999
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
9-6
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Cushion/Mound-forming
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm25.40 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Pink, Lavender
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Light Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Ovate-lanceolate
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
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Early Summer, Summer
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Deer resistant, Drought, Frost
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Needs less watering
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
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 flowers, 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
Root rot
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Deer resistant, Drought, Frost
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
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Bees, Wildlife
Allergy
-
Avoid during Pregnancy, Nausea
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Anti-ageing, Good for skin
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
Bronchitis, Combats Stress, Indigestion, Upset stomach
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
Oil is used for aromatherapy, Used in herbal medicines, Used in salads, Used to make herbal teas
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Edging, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
Thymus citriodorus
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Lemon Thyme, Citrus thyme
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Lemon Thyme
In German
Elephant Bush
Zitronenthymian
In French
Elephant Bush
citron Thyme
In Spanish
elefante Bush
citron Thyme
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
λεμόνι Θυμάρι
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
limão Tomilho
In Polish
Elephant Bush
tymianek cytrynowy
In Latin
bush elephant
lemon Thyme
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Lamiales
Family
Portulacaceae
Lamiaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Thymus
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Nepetoideae
Number of Species
1350
1
27800
👆🏻