Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
Asia, Europe
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Elfin Thyme, Pink Chintz Thyme, Lime Thyme, White Moss Thyme, Lavender Thyme, Silver Needle Thyme
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
6-9
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Cushion/Mound-forming
Flower Color
Pink
Crimson, Lavender, Pink, White
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Gray Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Tiny
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Summer
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Part sun
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loamy, Sandy
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Slightly Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
Do not water frequently, Does not require lot of watering, Requires watering in the growing season, Water occasionally
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Slightly Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loamy, Sandy
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Part 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, Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Prune lower leaves, Requires extensive pruning
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Alternaria leaf blight, Aphids, Botrytis collar rot, Rhizoctonia Root Rot, Spider mites
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
Yes
Foliage Texture
Bold
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Butterflies
Allergy
-
Diarrhea, Skin irritation
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beautification, 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
-
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Arthritis, Bronchitis, Chronic fatigue, Cough, Gastritis, Hair Loss, Insomnia, Kidney problems, Muscle Pain, Skin irritation, Snoring, Sore throat, Stomach pain, Swelling
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Whole plant
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Air freshner, Cosmetics, Economic Purpose, Employed in herbal medicine, Oil is used in perfume, soaps, creams, etc., Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for fragrance
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Edible, Herb, Rock Garden
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
Thymus vulgaris
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Thyme
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
अजवायन के फूल
In German
Elephant Bush
Thymian
In French
Elephant Bush
Thym
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Tomillo
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
θυμάρι
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Tomilho
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Tymianek
In Latin
bush elephant
Thymum
Phylum
Embryophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Family
Portulacaceae
Labiatae
Genus
Portulacaria
Thymus
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
-
Importance of Elephant Bush and Thyme
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Elephant Bush and Thyme. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Elephant Bush and Thyme as they differ in many characteristics such as their life, care, benefits, facts, etc. Every gardener must at least have the slightest clue about the plants he wants to plant in his garden. Compare their benefits, which differ in many ways like facts and uses. The medicinal use of Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat whereas of Thyme is Arthritis, Bronchitis, Chronic fatigue, Cough, Gastritis, Hair Loss, Insomnia, Kidney problems, Muscle Pain, Skin irritation, Snoring, Sore throat, Stomach pain and Swelling. Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation and Skin Problems while Thyme has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation and Skin Problems.
Compare Facts of Elephant Bush vs Thyme
How to choose the best garden plant for your garden depending upon its facts? Here garden plant comparison will help you to solve this query. Compare the facts of Elephant Bush vs Thyme and know which one to choose. As garden plants have benefits and other uses, allergy is also a major drawback of plants for some people. Allergic reactions of Elephant Bush are whereas of Thyme have Diarrhea and Skin irritation respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Elephant Bush has no showy fruits and Thyme has no showy fruits. Also Elephant Bush is not flowering and Thyme is flowering. You can compare Elephant Bush and Thyme facts and facts of other plants too.