Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Succulent
Tree
Origin
Southern Africa
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Ardis, Arnold, Aureomarginatum
Number of Varieties
303
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Bluffs, low mountains, Moist Soils, Woodlands
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-125-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
9-2
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, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Pyramidal
Plant Size
Minimum Height
250.00 cm1,830.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
121.00 cm1,070.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Orange, Light Yellow
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Lime Green, Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Yellow, Light Yellow, Yellow green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Irregular
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Fall
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Medium
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings
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, Requires regular watering
In Summer
Ample Water
Ample Water
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
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 ocassionally, Remove dead branches
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, fertilize in spring, Fertilize the soil instead of direct applying, Mulch
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
fusarium canker, nectria canker, yellow-poplar weevil
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Soil Compaction
Flowers
Showy
Showy
Flower Petal Number
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
Allergy
-
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
-
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Arthritis, Digestion problems, Fever, Inflammation, Wounds
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
Food for animals, Grown for shade, Used as Ornamental plant, Used in Furniture
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
LIRIODENDRON tulipifera
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Tulip Poplar, Yellow Poplar
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
ट्यूलिप पेड़
In German
Elephant Bush
Tulpenbaum
In French
Elephant Bush
tulipier
In Spanish
elefante Bush
árbol de tulipán
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
δέντρο τουλίπα
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
árvore de tulipa
In Polish
Elephant Bush
tulipanowiec
In Latin
bush elephant
Tulipa arbore
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Embryophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Magnoliales
Family
Portulacaceae
Magnoliaceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Liriodendron
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Magnoliids
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
-
Number of Species
12
1
27800
👆🏻