About
A leafless succulent with one or more upright, deeply ribbed, sparsely spiny, grey-green stems which may develop branches. Small, yellowish-green, purple or deep red flowers appear near branch tips in winter.
About the genus
Euphorbia can be annuals, perennials, shrubs or succulents, with milky sap and small flowers held within cupped, often colourful bracts
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants
ToxicityHumans/Pets: IRRITANT to skin/eye, harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with sharp sand in full light with good ventilation. Water sparingly when in growth keep dry in winter. In the growing season feed a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further details
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 15-18°C in early spring or stem cuttings in spring or early summer. Separate offsets in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs, glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free