Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Cactus or Succulent
Succulent
Origin
South America, Brazil
Southern Africa
Types
-
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
030
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Rocky areas, rocky outcrops, Sandy areas
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-1510-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
10-1
Sunset Zone
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
760.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
300.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
Red, Violet
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
-
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
-
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
-
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Succulent
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
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Summer
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Cuttings, Seedlings, Vegetative
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Needs less watering
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Regular watering required
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, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
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, No fertilizers needed
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
-
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
-
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds, Fruit Bats, Moths, pollinators
Butterflies
Allergy
Toxic
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
along a porch, deck or patio, Beautification, Borders, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes, small hedge, Used for decorating walls, fences, gates, hedges, etc.
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Food for birds
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
Fruits, Whole plant
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant, Used in construction, Used to feed livestock
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, Landscape, Rock Garden, Showy Tree, Wall
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
CEREUS jamacaru
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
mandacaru, cardeiro, Night-blooming Cactus, Pleated Cereus
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
mandacaru
Elephant Bush
In German
Cereus jamacaru
Elephant Bush
In French
Cereus jamacaru
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Cereus jamacaru
elefante Bush
In Greek
Mandacaru
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Mandacaru
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Mandacaru
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Mandacaru
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Caryophyllales
Family
Cactaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Cereus
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Careeae
-
Subfamily
Cactoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
341
1
27800
👆🏻