Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Cactus or Succulent
Succulent
Origin
South America, Brazil
Southern Africa
Types
not available
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
Not Available
Habitat
Rocky areas, rocky outcrops, Sandy areas
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-15
10-12
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
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Not Available
Fruit Color
Red, Violet
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Not Available
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Not Available
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Not Available
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Succulent
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
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
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 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 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
Not Available
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Not Available
Matte
Attracts
Birds, Fruit Bats, Moths, pollinators
Butterflies
Allergy
Toxic
no allergic reactions
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
Not Available
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Environmental Uses
Food for birds
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
No Medicinal Use
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
Showy
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
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
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
Not Available
Subfamily
Cactoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
Not Available
Importance of Mandacaru and Elephant Bush
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Mandacaru and Elephant Bush. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Mandacaru and Elephant Bush as they differ in many characteristics such as their life, care, benefits, facts, etc. Every gardener must at least have the slightest clue about the plants he wants to plant in his garden. Compare their benefits, which differ in many ways like facts and uses. The medicinal use of Mandacaru is No Medicinal Use whereas of Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat. Mandacaru has beauty benefits as follows: Not Available while Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: Not Available.
Compare Facts of Mandacaru vs Elephant Bush
How to choose the best garden plant for your garden depending upon its facts? Here garden plant comparison will help you to solve this query. Compare the facts of Mandacaru vs Elephant Bush and know which one to choose. As garden plants have benefits and other uses, allergy is also a major drawback of plants for some people. Allergic reactions of Mandacaru are Toxic whereas of Elephant Bush have no allergic reactions respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Mandacaru has showy fruits and Elephant Bush has no showy fruits. Also Mandacaru is not flowering and Elephant Bush is not flowering . You can compare Mandacaru and Elephant Bush facts and facts of other plants too.