About
A semi-evergreen shrub with large, bluntly toothed, ovate leaves and tiny yellow flowers with leaf-like bright red bracts, opening 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, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Houseplants
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toMexico to Guatemala
Care notes
CultivationGrow indoors in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added bark and leaf mould in full light during winter, avoiding any draughts. Minimum temperature of 13-15°C during the flowering season. Flowering and bract colouring is initiated by short winter day-length, occurring naturally in December and January; from November onwards, plants should be put in a dark room after twelve hours of daylight and protected from artificial light sources. Water sparingly during growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 10-14 days. See Poinsettia cultivation
PruningPrune back the plants hard in April, to about 10cm (4in). Repot them, growing them in a light, cool place over summer. A temperature of 15-18°C (60-65°F) is ideal. Flowering and bract colouring is initiated by short winter day-length, occurring naturally in December and January. So from November onwards, plants should be put in a dark room after twelve hours of daylight and protected from artificial light sources Plants need a constant temperature of around 18°C (55°F) to colour up well, so make sure they do not get too cold
PropagationPropagate by stem cuttings in early summer. Use a hormone rooting compound
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds