Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Cactus or Succulent
Succulent
Origin
Mexico
Southern Africa
Types
Cephalocereus senilis
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
Dry areas, Forest margins, gardens, Semi arid regions, Semi desert
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
11-15
10-12
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 21, 22, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Narrow Upright/Fastigiate
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
Light Pink
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
White
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
White
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
White
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
White
Green
Leaf Shape
Funnel shaped
Succulent
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Very Slow
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
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Late Spring
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting, Vegetative Reproduction
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Water when soil is dry
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 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
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
Flower Petal Number
-
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Allergy
Skin irritation
-
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
-
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Bulbs, Hair
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Hair is used in making sweaters, 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
Yes
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
CEPHALOCEREUS senilis
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Bunny Cactus
White Persian Cat cactus
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
ओल्ड मैन कैक्टस
Elephant Bush
In German
Old Man Cactus
Elephant Bush
In French
Old Man Cactus
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Viejo Cactus
elefante Bush
In Greek
Γέρος Cactus
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Old Man Cactus
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Stary Cactus
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Senem Cactus
bush elephant
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Caryophyllales
Family
Cactaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Cephalocereus
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
Cactoideae
Portulacarioideae
Importance of Old Man Cactus and Elephant Bush
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Old Man Cactus and Elephant Bush. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Old Man Cactus 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 Old Man Cactus is whereas of Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat. Old Man Cactus has beauty benefits as follows: while Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: .
Compare Facts of Old Man Cactus 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 Old Man Cactus 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 Old Man Cactus are Skin irritation whereas of Elephant Bush have respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Old Man Cactus has no showy fruits and Elephant Bush has no showy fruits. Also Old Man Cactus is not flowering and Elephant Bush is not flowering . You can compare Old Man Cactus and Elephant Bush facts and facts of other plants too.