Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Succulent
Origin
Melanesia, Australia
Southern Africa
Types
Umbrella plant
Amate
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
100030
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
gardens, Homesteads, Roadsides, Tropical regions, Woods
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-1510-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-9
10-1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 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
610.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
460.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Red, Pink
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Red, Purple
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Red, Purple
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Elliptic
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
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
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Pollution, Soil Compaction
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Transplanting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Do Not over Water, Keep the ground moist but not water-logged, Water occasionally
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, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
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
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
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
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds
Butterflies
Allergy
Dermititis
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
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
Arthritis, Asthma, Headache, Rheumatoid arthritis, Stomach pain
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Root
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Employed in herbal medicine, 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, Houseplant, Screening / Wind Break, Street Trees, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
SCHEFFLERA actinophylla
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Octopus Tree
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
ऑक्टोपस पेड़
Elephant Bush
In German
Octopus tree
Elephant Bush
In French
arbre Octopus
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
árbol pulpo
elefante Bush
In Greek
χταπόδι δέντρο
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Octopus árvore
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Ośmiornica drzewo
Elephant Bush
In Latin
polypus ligno
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Apiales
Caryophyllales
Family
Araliaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Schefflera
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Aralioideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
151
1
27800
👆🏻