Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Cactus
Succulent
Origin
South America
Southern Africa
Types
Gymnocalycium alboareolatum , Gymnocalycium amerhauseri , Gymnocalycium andreae
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
5430
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Desert, Semi desert
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1210-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-1
10-1
Sunset Zone
13,21,22,23,24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
12.50 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
8.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
creamy white, Light Pink, Pink
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
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
All year
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Part sun, Partial shade, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Medium
Fast
Type of Soil
Sand, Sandy
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Sandy
Well drained
Bloom Time
All year
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Dry Conditions, Dry soil, Full Sun, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Offsets
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Do not water excessively
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
Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Sandy
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Dry
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Part sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
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
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, can go long without fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Mealy bugs, Root rot
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Dry soil, Full Sun, Heat Tolerance
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
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Ants, Mealybugs
Butterflies
Allergy
-
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Ornamental use
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, Food for animals, Food for birds, Food for insects
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
Bark, Fruits
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Decoration 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, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Showy Tree
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
GYMNOCALYCIUM
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Chin Cactus
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Gymnocalycium
Elephant Bush
In German
Gymnocalycium
Elephant Bush
In French
Gymnocalycium
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Gymnocalycium
elefante Bush
In Greek
Gymnocalycium
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Gymnocalycium
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Gymnocalycium
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Gymnocalycium
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Caryophyllales
Family
Cactaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Gymnocalycium
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Trichocereeae
-
Subfamily
Cactoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
541
1
27800
👆🏻