Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Epiphyte
Succulent
Origin
Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Brazil
Southern Africa
Types
Diothonea, Auliza
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
100030
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Forests, Subtropical climates, Terrestrial, Tropical regions, Wet lands
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
11-1510-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-9
10-1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
15.20 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
20.30 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White, Light Green, Ivory
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
-
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Dark Green
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Linear
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
-
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Fall, Winter, Indeterminate
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Cold climate, Humidity
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Divison, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Requires regular watering, Water more in summer
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Ample Water
Less Watering
In Winter
Ample Water
Less Watering
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
-
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
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
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, light feeding and water solubles, Water soluble fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Leaf spot, Mealybugs, Rust, Spider mites, Viruses, Whiteflies
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Cold climate, Humidity
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
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
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Bees, Insects, Mealybugs, Spider Mites
Butterflies
Allergy
Asthma
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, 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
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
Flowers
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Air freshner, Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes
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, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
EPIDENDRUM ciliare
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Epidendrum, Fringed Star Orchid
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Epidendrum
Elephant Bush
In German
Epidendrum
Elephant Bush
In French
Epidendrum
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Epidendrum
elefante Bush
In Greek
Epidendrum
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Epidendrum
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Epidendrum
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Epidendrum
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Embryophyta
Class
-
Magnoliopsida
Order
Asparagales
Caryophyllales
Family
Orchidaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Coilostylis
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Monocots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Epidendreae
-
Subfamily
Epidendroideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
15001
1
27800
👆🏻