Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, South-Central United States
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Cherry laurel, California Bay Laurel, Spotted laurel
Number of Varieties
303
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-125-9
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
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm460.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm300.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
White, Ivory
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Orange Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Light Green, Blue Green, Silver
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Light Green, Blue Green, Silver
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green, Yellow green, Tan, Silver
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Green, Yellow green, Tan
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Oval
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
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Wet Site
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Grafting, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Do Not over Water, occasional watering once established
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
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 for shortening long shoots, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
fertilize in growing season
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Beetles, Fusarium wilt, Rust, Scab
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Salt and Soil Compaction, Shade areas
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
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds, Butterflies
Allergy
-
allergic conjunctivitis, Nausea, wheezing
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
For treating wrinkles, Hair Conditioner, Making cosmetics
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification, Indoor Air Purification, Insect Repellent
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Acne, Cancer, Diarrhea, Emollient, Migraines, Oral health, treating poison ivy
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Flowers, Leaf Stalks, Stem
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Cosmetics, Culinary use, Florist trade and landscaping, Making Perfumes, Oil is used in perfume, soaps, creams, etc., Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Foundation, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
Laurus nobilis
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Sweetbay
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Laurus nobilis
In German
Elephant Bush
Echter Lorbeer
In French
Elephant Bush
Laurus nobilis
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Laurus nobilis
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Laurus nobilis
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Loureiro
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Wawrzyn szlachetny
In Latin
bush elephant
Laurus nobilis
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Laurales
Family
Portulacaceae
Magnoliaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Laurus
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Monocots
Tribe
-
Epidendreae
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Epidendroideae
Number of Species
13
1
27800
👆🏻