Life Span
Annual
Perennial
Type
Cactus
Succulent
Origin
South America, Argentina, Brazil
Southern Africa
Types
Cereus repandus
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
5030
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Desert
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
11-1510-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
10-1
Sunset Zone
16, 17, 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
300.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
90.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White, Yellow
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Pink, Red
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Toothed
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
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Salt
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Never Over-water
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
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
Flowers
Showy
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Double
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
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Butterflies
Allergy
-
-
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
Antioxidants, Indigestion, Oedema, Wounds
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Fruits
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
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, Fruit, Fruit Tree, Hedges, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
CEREUS hildmannianus ssp. uruguayanus
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Peruvian Apple Cactus
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Peruvian Apple cactus
Elephant Bush
In German
Peruanische Apple-Kaktus
Elephant Bush
In French
Péruvienne d'Apple Cactus
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Peruana de Apple Cactus
elefante Bush
In Greek
Του Περού μήλο κάκτος
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Cactus a Apple peruana
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Peruwiański Jabłko Cactus
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Apple Peruviani Cactus
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllidae
Caryophyllales
Family
Cactaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Cereus
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Cereeae
-
Subfamily
Cactoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
61
1
27800
👆🏻