Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
Africa, India, Southeast Asia
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Sweet Tamarind, Australian tamarind, Manila tamarind, Velvet tamarind, Spanish Tamarind
Number of Varieties
30100
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Subtropical climates, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-129-11
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
-
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Spreading
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm1,800.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm800.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Red, Yellow
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Dark Green, Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Dark Green, Yellow green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Dark Brown, Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Pinnate
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
Slow
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Salt
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Layering, Seedlings, Transplanting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Do Not over Water, Keep the ground moist but not water-logged
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
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
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
6-6-6 or 8-8-8
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Aphids, Borers, Mealybugs, Onion thrips, Root weevil, Soft scales, Whiteflies
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
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
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Beetles, Birds, Scale Insects
Allergy
-
Diarrhea, Hives, Nausea, Vomiting
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beautification
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Glowing Skin, Good for skin, Improve skin tone, Reduces ageing, Skin cleanser
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Food for animals, Food for birds, Food for insects, Nesting sites for birds
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Antioxidants, Inflammation, Rheumatism, Skin Disorders, Sore throat
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
Culinary use, Used as a nutritious food item, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Edible, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
Tamarindus indica
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Tamarind tree, Tamarind
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
इमली का पेड़
In German
Elephant Bush
Tamarinde
In French
Elephant Bush
tamarinier
In Spanish
elefante Bush
tamarindo
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
δέντρο Tamarind
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
tamarindo
In Polish
Elephant Bush
drzewo tamaryndowca
In Latin
bush elephant
tamarind ligno
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Fabales
Family
Portulacaceae
Fabaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Tamarindus
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
Detarieae
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Caesalpinioideae
Number of Species
1100
1
27800
👆🏻