Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Succulent
Origin
North America, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Texas, Canada
Southern Africa
Types
-
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
330
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dappled Shade, Sunny Edge, Woodland Garden Canopy
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
3-910-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
10-1
Sunset Zone
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
1,520.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
1,220.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Yellow green, Chartreuse
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Green, Indigo, Black
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Yellow, Red, Orange, Yellow green, Bronze, Orange Red
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Spring
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
-
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not 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
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial 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
Nitrogen, Phosphorous
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Foliage diseases
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
Insignificant
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
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Insects
Butterflies
Allergy
Dermatitis, Diaphoresis
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
-
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
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
Alterative, Anodyne, Antirheumatic, Antiseptic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Leaves
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Used as a condiment, Used in making tea, Used to flavour soups
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
Shade Trees, Street Trees
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
SASSAFRAS albidum
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Sassafras
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Sassafras
Elephant Bush
In German
Sassafras
Elephant Bush
In French
Sassafras
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Sasafrás
elefante Bush
In Greek
σασάφρα
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
sassafrás
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Sassafras
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Sassafras
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Laurales
Caryophyllales
Family
Lauraceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Sassafras
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Magnoliids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Cinnamomeae
-
Subfamily
Lauroideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
41
1
27800
👆🏻