Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Flowering Plants, Shrubs
Origin
Southern Africa
Europe, Northern America
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Persian lilac, Dwarf Korean lilac, Tree lilacs, Chinese lilac, Himalayan lilac
Number of Varieties
301000
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Roadsides, Rocky areas, Thickets
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-123-7
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
8-1
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
A1, A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm10.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm9.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green, Lemon yellow, Sandy Brown
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Heart-shaped
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Medium
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loamy, Sandy
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
-
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Grafting, Seedlings, Stem Planting, Transplanting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Keep the ground moist but not water-logged, Over-watering can cause leaf problems or root diseases, Prefer drip-irrigation instead of Over-head watering, Requires a lot of watering, Water twice a day in the initial period, Water when soil is dry
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loamy, Sandy
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full 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
Prune after flowering, Prune prior to new growth, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Powdery mildew, Slugs, Snails
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Flowers
✔
✘
✔
✘
Flower Petal Number
Single
Double
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
Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Allergy
-
Eye irritation, Itchy eyes, Runny nose
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bouquets, Showy Purposes, Used for decorating walls, fences, gates, hedges, etc.
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
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Fever, Treat Parasitic Intestinal Worms
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Flowers
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Air freshner, Oil is used for aromatherapy, Oil is used in perfume, soaps, creams, etc., Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for fragrance
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Cutflower, Edging, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
Syringa
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Lilac
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
बकाइन
In German
Elephant Bush
Flieder
In French
Elephant Bush
lilas
In Spanish
elefante Bush
lila
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
πασχαλιά
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
lilás
In Polish
Elephant Bush
liliowy
In Latin
bush elephant
lilac
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Lamiales
Family
Portulacaceae
Oleaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Syringa
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
-
Oleeae
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
-
Number of Species
112
1
27800
👆🏻