Euphorbia is a ruffianly , drought - large-minded works genus with coloured leaves that maintain their own against summertime ’s heating plant .
Euphorbia is a with child genus of plant consisting of thousands ofannual and perennial coinage , many of which make beautiful and solid landscape plants . Euphorbia works come in a salmagundi of shapes and sizes , many boasting cacti - like leaves and colourful striations of red , white , and more . nigh all euphorbia speciesare succulents , and those that are n’t are best described as woody bush or herbaceous plants .
Many varieties of euphorbia plant ooze out mucilaginous white latex sap from their stems , which is toxic and known to irritate human beings , dogs , and cats . apply mitt when handling and keep all plant parts away from eyes and cutis .
Marty Baldwin.
Where to Plant Euphorbia Plants
Because genus Euphorbia are so various and sturdy , they can be planted anywhere in your garden or landscape , so long as the spot gets enough sunlight . Their colourful variations will take care right at menage in a garden layer alongside other flowers , but you’re able to also use the various mintage as a stunningmixed moulding .
too , euphorbia plants also make majuscule choice for container horticulture , both indoors and out . The plant life go sleeping throughout the wintertime but otherwise perform with color and vigour throughout much of the growing season .
How and When to Plant Euphorbia Plants
Plant euphorbia outdoors in thespring after all chance of hoarfrost has passed , and grease temperatures have warmed to at least 40 ° fluorine . Excellent drain is the most important factor in the success of a euphorbia plant . These plant will molder if their soil stay too moist . When grown as a houseplant , Euphorbia can be plant in a cacti and succulent potting mix .
Euphorbia Plant Care Tips
Though dissimilar species of euphorbia may have particular need , many of their fear requirements are the same across the genus . While the plant may require a bit of coddle when getting institute , they are generally very ego - sufficient and even thrive on neglect .
Light
Locate your euphorbia plant infull sun , where it receives at least six to eight hours of verbatim sparkle daily . In especially red-hot climate , a scrap of afternoon nuance can help keep the plants from drying out or burn .
Soil and Water
Euphorbia plants are especially sensitive to swampy land , so planting them in awell - run out locationis a must . Typically , a sandlike assortment with aneutral pHis well — if your garden soil is too dense , you may amend it with a bit of perlite to help oneself thing along . If you ’re establish your genus Euphorbia in container , a stock cacti / succulent potting mix should do just fine .
When it come to irrigate your euphorbia , keep an eye on how moist the soil is feeling . You ’ll want to hold off to water your plant life until the top few inches of stain are completely dry . Euphorbia plants generally only needconsistent wateringwhen actively produce in spring , summer , and descend . During winter , you only have to irrigate when the flora show sign of wilting .
Temperature and Humidity
Euphorbia plant life are fairly adaptable to a variety of temperatures , though many species definitely prefer the warmer temperature of late outpouring and summertime . Most euphorbias grow well in temperature as humiliated as 50 ° atomic number 9 , though some can even tolerate a light rime .
humidness require vary from species to species for euphorbia , but regardless of tolerance , these plant life need good ventilation thanks to their dumb shape . Be sure to space your genus Euphorbia plants out from one another and surrounding plants to lower the risk of fungal diseases , especially in pixilated or humid mood .
Fertilizer
Fertilizer need will reckon on which euphorbia species you ’re raise . However , nearly all types will benefit from a light alimentation in former spring at the beginning of their growing season . These plants do best with a meek , balanced organic fertiliser — alternatively , you canmix in composta few time throughout the bounce and summer . Euphorbias in container may take more frequent feeding than those plant in the ground .
Pruning
Thetype of pruningyour euphorbia flora motive will depend on the specific species — some , like evergreen euphorbias , need to have their spent blooms murder , while others should be trim down down to the flat coat each fall . Research the needs of the exact species you ’ve establish before proceeding with any pruning .
Test Garden Tip : Protective gear is necessary when snip euphorbia . All plants in the genus have a duncical , whitish sap that can irritate the eyes and skin , sogloves are a great precaution .
Potting and Repotting Euphorbia
Euphorbia is an idealistic specimen forcontainer gardening , either indoors or outdoors . When pot genus Euphorbia , embed it in a cacti and lush potting mix that drains quickly . you could also put the plant in a terra - cotta or clay pot , which will help wick away excess moisture from the soil so your water system - sensitive euphorbia is less likely to educate root rot .
Types of Euphorbia
growing charge per unit and the flowering time of year varies calculate on the type of euphorbia . Here are some popular and easy - to - rise varieties :
‘Diamond Frost’ Euphorbia
This intercrossed genus Euphorbia is one of the most popularcontainer plants . Wonderfully heat - resistant and drought - tolerant , it grow a continuous provision of frothy blooms from spring to fall down . It grows 18 column inch tall and 24 column inch wide , and is hardy in Zones 10 - 11 .
Fire Stick Plant
Euphorbia tirucalli’Rosea ' , or Fire Sticks , is a tropical variety of euphorbia often grown as an annual . This distinct miscellany has leafless stems in dark glasses of undimmed orange , red , and pink , giving it the likeness of flames . It originate 36 inches marvellous and 24 in wide and is perennial in Zones 9 - 11 .
Cushion Spurge
Euphorbia polychromais a perennial type that grows in mound clumps and is often chosen for its flashy aureate - lily-livered flowers , which emerge in later bounce . Cushion spurgetypically grows between 12 and 18 inches tall and is dauntless to zona 4 - 8 .
‘Helena’s Blush’ Euphorbia
This euphorbia cultivar is perennial but is often grown as an annual in containers . It bears dark-green foliage crimson with purpleness and edge in creamy yellow . The flora grows 20 inches tall and broad and ishardy in Zones 6 - 9 .
Euphorbia Companion Plants
Euphorbia pair beautifully with a number of other garden plants , accenting both annuals and perennials with its profuse , shaggy growth and singular shapes .
Angelonia
Also known as summer snapdragon , angeloniahas salvia - like bloom spires that reach over a foot gamey and are studded withsnapdragon - like bloomsin purple , snowy , or pink hues . Most gardener treat angelonia as an annual , and it ’s the sodding plant life for adding undimmed color to hot , sunny spaces .
Coral Bells
antecedently relish for their spires of dainty ruby heyday , coral bellsare now grown as much for theirunusual mottling and veining of different - color leaves . The scurvy clumps of long - stanch evergreen or semi - evergreen lob foliage make coralbells fine groundcover flora .
Cosmos
you could depend on thiscottage garden favoriteto fill up your garden with color all time of year long . The elementary , daisylike flower appear in cheery shades on marvelous root word that are great for cutting . The lacy leaf also makes a great background for shorter plants , like euphorbia . Cosmosdoesn’t like conditions that are too rich and does best with middling moisture ( but will tolerate drouth ) .
Garden Plans for Euphorbia
Water-Wise Garden
A ironic garden blot calls for hard plant that can get by without much pee . practice the water - wise survival of the fittest in this garden plan , which calls for a spurge industrial plant ( Euphorbia characias ) , to create a beautiful display near your home ’s foundation , along your driveway , or on thestreetside slip of grassin front of your house — where you may need some extra long-lived choice .
Deer-Resistant Garden
cervid may look cute , but they can wreak mayhem in a garden . Selecting varieties that are lower on Bambi ’s menu — like four cushion spurge ( Euphorbia polychroma)—is one in effect scheme , and luckily , there are plenty of pretty , modest - sustentation options . This cervid - resistant garden architectural plan features severalblooming perennials with a fragrance or texturethat the fauna do n’t care .
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no difference between a euphorbia plant and a spurge flora . Both names refer to the same type of plant and are often used interchangeably to draw unlike species within the euphorbia genus .
Locate your euphorbia plants where they can incur at least six to eight 60 minutes of sunshine daily . The soil should be well enfeeble , and they face easily on the border of gardens where you could enjoy their unique shapes and colors .
The exact size of your euphorbia plant will depend on which metal money or variety show you ’ve chosen to plant . They range greatly in sizing and appearance and can reach anywhere from 6 to 36 inches in height .
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Deciding the most popular euphorbia plant may be impossible since there are M of them , but the one most everyone is familiar with is the Mexican flameleaf , the much - sleep together holiday time of year potted plant used forChristmas decor .
Euphorbia . North Carolina State University Extension .
Credit: Edward Golich
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Jon Jensen
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
Credit: Illustration by Gary Palmer
