Life Span
Perennial
Biennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
South America
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Peruvian peppertree, peppercorn tree, Peruvian mastic
Number of Varieties
30100
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Dappled Shade, open Woodlands
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-128-11
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
12-8
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Weeping
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm1,219.20 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm1,219.20 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Light Yellow
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Pink, Rose
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Dark Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Arrowhead
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
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Late Winter
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Pollution, Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Keep ground moist, 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, 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
Cut limbs, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Pollution
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
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds, Butterflies
Allergy
-
Irritate the mucus membrane
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
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
Antiemetic, Antirheumatic, Appetizer, Digestive, Miscellany, Purgative
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Fruits, Leaves
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Condiment, Gum
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Edible, Feature Plant, Rock Garden / Wall, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
SCHINUS molle
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Peppertree
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Peppertree
In German
Elephant Bush
Peppertree
In French
Elephant Bush
Peppertree
In Spanish
elefante Bush
peppertree
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Peppertree
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Peppertree
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Peppertree
In Latin
bush elephant
Peppertree
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Vascular plant
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Sapindales
Family
Portulacaceae
Anacardiaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Schinus
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Anacardioideae
Number of Species
1600
1
27800
👆🏻