Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Herbaceous Perennial
Succulent
Origin
Africa, Kenya, South Africa
Southern Africa
Types
Freesia
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
1530
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
gardens, Grassland, Homesteads, Tropical regions, Wet forest
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1010-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
10-1
Sunset Zone
-
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
50.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
40.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Yellow
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
-
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Light Yellow, Brown
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Light Green
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Linear
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Medium
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Slightly Acidic
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
From bulbs
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
High
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Keep the ground moist but not water-logged, Needs a lot of moisture in the growing season, Stop watering completely once the plant becomes dormant
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Moderate
Less Watering
In Winter
Average Water
Less Watering
Soil
Soil pH
Slightly Acidic
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand, Well drained
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Shade, Indirect sunlight, Partial shade, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Cut away fading foliage, Remove deadheads, Requires very little pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
20-20-20 amount, All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Potash
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Salt and Soil Compaction, Shade areas
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
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Butterflies
Allergy
-
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Ground Cover, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Hair Conditioner, Making cosmetics, Skin cleanser
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
Bulbs, Flowers
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Cosmetics, Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, Used for fragrance
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
Feature Plant, Flower borders, Screening
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
Freesia refracta
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Freesia
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Freesia
Elephant Bush
In German
Freesie
Elephant Bush
In French
Freesia
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
fresia
elefante Bush
In Greek
freesia
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
freesia
elefante de Bush
In Polish
frezja
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Freesia
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Asparagales
Caryophyllales
Family
Iridaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Freesia
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Monocots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Ixioideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
161
1
27800
👆🏻