Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Cactus or Succulent
Succulent
Origin
Eastern Asia, India
Southern Africa
Types
-
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
-30
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Temperate Regions, Tropical regions
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-1110-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
10-1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
120.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
12.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Yellow, Yellow green
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
Pink
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Grafting, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Ample Water
Ample Water
In Spring
Average Water
Less Watering
In Winter
Less Watering
Less Watering
Soil
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
fertilize in fall, fertilize in spring, fertilize in summer, Nitrogen
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Powdery mildew, Red blotch, Root rot, Scale
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
Insignificant
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
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Insects
Butterflies
Allergy
Skin irritation
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, 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 insects, Very little waste, Wildlife
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
-
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Leaves
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Air freshner, Showy Purposes, Traditional medicine, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Foundation, Hedges, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
EUPHORBIA lactea
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Mottled Spurge, Frilled Fan, Elkhorn
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Elkhorn
Elephant Bush
In German
Elkhorn
Elephant Bush
In French
Elkhorn
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
cuerno de alce
elefante Bush
In Greek
Elkhorn
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Elkhorn
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Elkhorn
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Elkhorn
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Caryophyllales
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
-
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
11
1
27800
👆🏻