Life Span
Annual
  
Perennial
  
Type
Flowering Plants
  
Succulent
  
Origin
Mediterranean
  
Southern Africa
  
Types
Not Available
  
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
  
Habitat
Cultivated Beds
  
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-10
  
10-12
  
AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
  
10-1
  
Sunset Zone
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 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
Vining/Climbing
  
Twisted/Contorted
  
Plant Size
  
  
Minimum Width
Not Available
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
White, Red, Blue, Purple, Pink, Rose, Salmon, Coral, Lavender, Blue Violet
  
Pink
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Not Available
  
Fruit Color
Green, Tan
  
Green, Red
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Sea Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Sea Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Sea Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Light Green
  
Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Pinnate
  
Succulent
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Loam
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
  
Late Spring
  
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
  
No
  
Tolerances
Drought
  
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
Requires regular watering
  
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
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Loam
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Pruning
Cut or pinch the stems, Pinching, Shearing
  
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Fertilizers
Organic Flower Fertilizer
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
  
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Mildew, Mosaic viruses
  
Pests and diseases free
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
No
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Medium
  
Bold
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
Yes
  
No
  
Attracts
Caterpillar, Insects, Not Available, Snails
  
Butterflies
  
Allergy
Diarrhea, Dizziness, Mouth itching, Stomach pain, Vomiting
  
no allergic reactions
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Ground Cover
  
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
  
Edible Uses
No
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Fixes Nitrogen
  
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Not Available
  
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
  
Part of Plant Used
Flowers
  
Leaves, Stem
  
Other Uses
Used as essential oil
  
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
Cottage garden, Groundcover
  
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
LATHYRUS odoratus
  
PORTULACARIA afra
  
Common Name
Sweetpea
  
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
  
In Hindi
Sweetpea
  
Elephant Bush
  
In German
Sweetpea
  
Elephant Bush
  
In French
Sweetpea
  
Elephant Bush
  
In Spanish
Sweetpea
  
elefante Bush
  
In Greek
Sweetpea
  
ελέφαντας Μπους
  
In Portuguese
Sweetpea
  
elefante de Bush
  
In Polish
Sweetpea
  
Elephant Bush
  
In Latin
Sweetpea
  
bush elephant
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Embryophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Fabales
  
Caryophyllales
  
Family
Fabaceae
  
Portulacaceae
  
Genus
Lagerstroemia
  
Portulacaria
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Vicieae
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Faboideae
  
Portulacarioideae
  
Number of Species
Not Available
  
Not Available