Life Span
Perennial
Annual and Perennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Canada
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
-
Number of Varieties
308
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Deep, Fertile bottom land, Hilly upland habitat, Well Drained
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-126-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
8-6
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm1,371.60 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Purple, Burgundy, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Yellow, Green, Yellow green, Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Yellow, Copper, Orange Red
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Oblong
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Medium
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Early Spring, Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
-
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Transplanting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season, Water Deeply
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, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, 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 damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Requires little pruning
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Magnesium sulphate, Nitrogen, Phosphate, Phosphorous, Potassium
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
-
Flowers
✔
✘
✔
✘
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
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds, Butterflies
Allergy
-
breathing problems, Dizziness, Itchiness, Nausea, Rash, Stomach pain, Swelling
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Good for skin and hair, Skin cleanser
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification, Shadow Tree
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Malaria, Rheumatism, Urine infections, Vomiting
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Flowers, Fruits, Leaves
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Making Shampoo, Used As Food, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Mixed Border, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
ASIMINA triloba
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Pawpaw
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
गंदा संयंत्र
In German
Elephant Bush
Papaya Pflanze
In French
Elephant Bush
usine de papaye
In Spanish
elefante Bush
planta de la papaya
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
φυτό pawpaw
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
planta mamão
In Polish
Elephant Bush
pawpaw roślin
In Latin
bush elephant
quince herba
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Magnoliales
Family
Portulacaceae
Annonaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Asimina Adans
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Magnoliids
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
-
Number of Species
19
1
27800
👆🏻