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
Not Available
  
Habitat
Desert, Semi desert
  
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-12
  
10-12
  
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
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
creamy white, Light Pink, Not Available, Pink
  
Pink
  
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Fruit Color
Pink
  
Green, Red
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Not Available
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
  
Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Not Applicable
  
Succulent
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
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
Yes
  
No
  
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
No need to prune
  
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
Yes
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
Yes
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Bold
  
Bold
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
Yes
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
No
  
Attracts
Ants, Mealybugs
  
Butterflies
  
Allergy
Unknown
  
no allergic reactions
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Ornamental use
  
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
No Beauty Benefits
  
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Yes
  
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
No Medicinal Use
  
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
Yes
  
Yes
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
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
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Cactoideae
  
Portulacarioideae
  
Number of Species
Not Available