Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Cactus or Succulent, Ornamental Plants, Perennial
Succulent
Origin
Madagascar
Southern Africa
Types
P. ambongense P. baronii P. bicolor P. bispinosum P. brevicaule P. cactipes P. decaryi P. densiflorum P. eburneum P. geayi P. gracilius
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
19230
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Rocky areas, Tropical areas
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1210-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
10-1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 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
370.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
90.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
Gray Green, Tan
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Long Narrow
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Medium
Fast
Type of Soil
Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Cutting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Reduce watering in winter
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
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Moist, Sand, Well drained
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Prune in winter, Prune to stimulate growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
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, Fertilize in early spring, fertilize in early summer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Dry root rot
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
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
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
-
Butterflies
Allergy
poisonous if ingested, Toxic
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
along a porch, deck or patio, Beautification, Borders, 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
-
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
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, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
PACHYPODIUM lamerei
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Madagascar Palm, Club Foot
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Madagascar palm
Elephant Bush
In German
Madagaskarpalme
Elephant Bush
In French
Pachypodium de Madagascar
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Palma de Madagascar
elefante Bush
In Greek
Pachypodium
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Palmeirinha-de-madagáscar, Palmeira-de-madagáscar
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Pachypodium
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Mandacaru
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Dicotyledonae
Magnoliopsida
Order
Gentianales
Caryophyllales
Family
Apocynaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
pachypodium
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Malouetieae
-
Subfamily
Apocynoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
251
1
27800
👆🏻