Last updated on May 3rd, 2022
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Euphorbia comprises a large genus of plants inside of which there are over 2,000 species, meaning there is literally an endless choice of varieties. Of these, around 1200 are succulent species that provide some of the most remarkable shapes and look very similar to cacti. They are cultivated because of the range of foliage in architectural shapes they have but only a few are known for the flowers they produce. Those that do produce flowers bloom in the spring or summer and tend to go into dormancy come winter.
Of these non-succulent varieties, the Euphorbias are deciduous and the most popular flowering varieties include the traditional Christmas Poinsettia, the Poinsettia that is grown by most people over Christmas, as well as the familiar milkweed that is also known as the Euphorbia peplus.
Hardy Euphorbias for rockeries and flowerbeds
Most of the succulent varieties are not very hardy, and if there are being grown in the UK they do better when grown indoors. There are also lots of different hardy rockery varieties available too. There are many perennial varieties that provide much-needed winter colour, with many being evergreen, while some die back for winter before emerging again in spring. These perennial Euphorbia are what most gardeners in the UK will likely want to plant, such varieties include the Euphorbia amygdaloides purpura and the Euphorbia characias.
Easy to Care for
Whether they are flowering or not, Euphorbias are quite simple to care for and they require very little care and maintenance once they are established. Once fully established they are incredibly self-sufficient and won’t die from very much, besides too much care or too much watering.
Regular Care
Plant Euphorbia in full sun to partial shade
Euphorbias require areas with full sun but they do tolerate partial shade, especially the woodland varieties. If you have a flowering Euphorbia, full sun is a necessity to get the most out of the flowers. If you don’t provide it with full sun, the plant will put all of its resources and energy into maintaining itself rather than flowering. This effectively defeats the purpose of having a flowering variety in the first place, that being said, the foliage of many varieties is equally as stunning as the flowers themselves.
Even though there is very little you need to do to care for the plant, there are some specific requirements needed to give them the best chance of thriving.
Watering Euphorbias
First, unlike other succulents, Euphorbia does not tolerate long periods of drought so you need to keep a close eye on watering, especially if you are growing them in pots. You’ll have to water your plants sometimes weekly during the summer months. Effectively you want to water whenever the soil becomes dry on the surface, being careful not to overwater. Once you note that it’s dry enough, water it deeply but don’t let it sit in the water because this can lead to root rot.
Feeding Euphorbias
To help them get established when you first plant them, or during their growing season, you can add organic matter, like compost or fertiliser such as bone meal or fish blood and bone into the soil. If you are growing your Euphorbia in a container, you can give it a half-strength fertiliser on a monthly basis.
- Contains nitrogen and phosphate, with added potash for strong root development
- Improved ripening and healthy growth of fruit and vegetables.
- With added potash for strong root development
Pests and Diseases
The good news is, that Euphorbias are typically problem-free. Very few animals want to contend with the spiky needles or the milky sap they are known for. It’s worth noting that the milky sap can irritate the skin so always wear gloves when cutting them back or taking cuttings.
Mealybugs and spider mites
However, there are a few bugs that have taken a liking to Euphorbia. Mealybugs and spider mites are the most common pests and they will feed on your plant until such time as it eventually dies. These insects increase in numbers very rapidly so it’s essential that you catch the problem early on and rectify it by spraying the plants with a pesticide spray.
- Up to 2 weeks control of a wide range of pests
- Rapid action and long-lasting protection
- Use on flowers and a wide range of edibles
- Targets lily beetle, whitefly, scale, greenfly, red spider mite, blackfly, mealybug, thrips and leaf hopper
- Use outdoors and indoors
Root rot
As mentioned, they are susceptible to root rot. This really only happens when the plants are in wet soil for too long. By having well-draining soil and limiting the watering until it’s dry enough to require it, you can avoid this. Dig plenty of organic matter and grit into the soil if the area sometimes becomes waterlogged before planting.
Mildew
There are some issues of mildew if you have bad air circulation. You can correct this by changing the growing conditions to provide better airflow around your Euphorbia before you resort to a fungicide, however, in bad cases try to improve the air circulation and spray the plant with a fungicide.
- Systemic protection and control of blackspot, powdery mildew and rust
- Use on roses and other flowering or ornamental plants
- Protects new growth and protects plants for over 3 months, when used at intervals recommended in usage instructions
- Use between March to September
- Apply using a garden pressure sprayer washed before and after use
Pruning
Euphorbia usually falls into one of three pruning categories. Evergreen varieties just need the flowers trimmed when they have finished and turned brown. Varieties with biennial stems (which means they flower on the stems in the second year) just need the flowering stems cut back to ground level in autumn. Finally, deciduous varieties that die back for winter need all the stems cut back to ground level in autumn, ideally before the first frost.
Propagating Euphorbia
If you have a successful Euphorbia plant in your garden and you have decided you would like more there are two propagating options available to you. Firstly, you can propagate from seed, however, this is a very difficult process.
The second, and most common way to propagate is by taking cuttings. Be cautious of the fact that the cuttings ooze a sticky, milky white sap that is an irritant to the skin and the eyes so it’s important that you wear gloves during this process.
Some of our favourite varieties:
- Euphorbia grandialata will start out with upright growth and eventually spread into a thorny bush, producing coral red flower bracts in the summer.
- Euphorbia lactea has fan-like branches with black spines.
- Euphorbia milii is a thorny, bushy plant that provides floral bracts of red, orange, yellow and white throughout the year.
- Euphorbia obesa is round and plump and it has reddish stripes. It tolerates some shade.
- Euphorbia symmetrica is a smaller, round subspecies of the Euphorbia obesa.
- MINER'S MERLOT Irresistibly attractive perennial with rich foliage and late spring flowers
- BEE MAGNET Bright yellow-lime blooms mark summer's impending arrival - a haven for pollinating bees and butterflies
- EASY TO GROW A perfect solution for those gardeners on the lookout for an easy to grow and care for plant that is tolerant of drought
- VERSATILE Plant across the garden, either in pots, beds, or borders, even ideal for ground cover and rockeries
- DETAILS Supplied as an established plant in a 9cm pot, ready to plant
- Characteristics: Evergreen outdoor shrub, hardy perennial, striking green foliage, lime green flowers, bee friendly, deer and rabbit resistant, great as ground cover
- Growth & spread: Maximum height of 70cm, maximum spread of 1m
- Care and Maintenance: Your Euphorbia will thrive in a location that benefits from access to full sun or dappled shade, but is tolerant of fully shaded placements as well. Best planted in a well-drained soil composed of Chalk, Loam, or Sand. To encourage new growth, remove the flower heads after they have finished flowering. The plant is drought tolerant and will only need an occasional watering; let the soil dry out between waterings.
- Period of interest: Flowers in Spring and Summer, Evergreen foliage supplies year-round interest.
- Hardy evergreen perennial with striking glaucous blue, scaley leaves.
- Trailing habit up to 35cm, ideal for rock gardens and walls.
- Large terminal clusters of acid green flowers in Spring.
- Thrives in hot, well-drained sunny locations.
- Hardy
- Harmful if eaten/skin + eye irritant.
- Grown with care by the Amazon Plant Specialist
- Please unpack as soon as possible after delivery
- Plant size varies according to the time of year. We always dispatch the largest plant available on the nursery.
- Characteristics - Evergreen herbaceous perennial, upright and bushy habit, grey-green narrow leaves, lime green cup-shaped flowers, suitable in borders and mixed perennial beds
- Flourishing Season - Flourishes throughout the year, flowering in Apr - June
- Care and Maintenance - The plant copes in full sunlight or partial shade. It should be planted in moist, well-drained soil and, due to being drought tolerant, it will survive even severe dry conditions.
- 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐀𝐋: This euphorbia plant provides year-round interest with its evergreen foliage, ensuring your garden remains vibrant and attractive throughout all seasons. This consistent greenery of this outdoor plant adds colour to your garden, even in the winter months.
- 𝐕𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐒: Our perennial plant features grey-green lance-shaped leaves with yellow edges that create a striking visual contrast. In cooler months, the leaves take on shades of red, pink, and orange, adding seasonal colour changes that enhance the aesthetic appeal of any garden.
- 𝐒𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐌𝐒: In early spring, this garden plant produces clusters of lime-green flowers. These flowers add colour and freshness to any garden after the winter. The blooms of this plant also attract pollinators to promote a healthy garden ecosystem.
- 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍: This evergreen shrub is grown with the utmost care to ensure it arrives at your doorstep healthy and ready to thrive. With proper care, this garden shrub will grow vigorously and can become a long-lasting part of your garden.
- 𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄: This is a low-maintenance outdoor garden plant, making it an excellent choice for busy or new gardeners. Simply plant it in full shade or partial shade and it will flourish. This potted plant thrives in most soil types, such as sandy, loamy, or clay, offering flexibility in placement.
- Probably the most popular and long-lived of all spurges, this old favourite produces strong stems of evergreen, blue-green leaves which terminate in extended narrow heads of bright yellow flowers. One of the easiest, long-lived and trouble-free plants you can grow.
- Sun-loving, evergreen shrub, 'one of the grandest of all plants', Euphorbia characias are the perfect plant to create structure throughout the year in the perennial border.
- Euphorbia characias originates from the Mediterranean, where it is found on dry rocky slopes and scrub land. These low maintenance plants are equally at home in a contemporary minimalist or gravel garden. They are very tolerant of drought, are hardy to minus 15°C (5°F) and can resist high salinity so are very suitable to a maritime garden.
- AFRICAN MILK TREE - Euphorbia trigona Cactus commonly known as African Milk Tree, Marble Column or Cathedral Cactus is a real architectural indoor plant with upright green stems featuring reddish maroon coloured spines along the ridges of the stems. Each stem is edged with three to four sided oval green leaves when the plant is young before falling away as the plant matures. NOTE: the decorative pot is not included, it will arrive in a 12cm plastic growing pot.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - The African Milk Tree despite being referred to as a cactus is actually a succulent. This slow growing houseplant can grow to 6ft in height, living for many years with proper care. It is very low maintenance making it ideal for beginners or for plant lovers as a gift, looking great in a bedroom, living room or as a desk or office plant.
- GROWING CONDITIONS - This easy to care for houseplant prefers to grow in bright indirect sunlight but can sit in direct sunlight unlike other Euphorbia varieties. Due to its tropical nature it likes to grow in a warm environment at 20°C but no less than 15°C. Water when the top two to four inches of soil is dry to the touch, allowing the water to drain out of the pot. During Autumn and Winter, water lightly only every 3 to 4 weeks.
- ONGOING CARE - The Euphorbia trigona grows well in normal home humidity but prefers drier air. Avoid placing in steamier rooms such as a bathroom or kitchen. This plant requires dusting every so often to unblock its pores as this helps the plant breathe. The plant is known as an African Milk Tree, due to the milky white sap that comes out when it is cut or broken. Please be careful of the sap as it can be poisonous to pets and can cause skin irritation if you come in contact with it.
- CARBETH PLANTS - We are a Scottish based company with over 20 years experience in horticulture. With a large variety of plants for the garden, indoors and also gift wrapped for special occasions. We pride ourselves on prompt delivery as well as our quality and affordable plants.
- An evergreen perennial with lance shaped grey green leaves with a pink tinge, taking on a more distinctive red tone in colder months.
- Acid yellow/green flower bracts appear in spring.
- Height 50cm.
- Full sun/partial shade. Hardy.
- CAUTION: Their milky sap is a skin irritant
- Characteristics: Compact, bushy evergreen herbaceous perennial with variegated white and green foliage and cream flowers.
- Flourishing Season: Tiny cream flowers that bloom throughout the Spring.
- Water & Maintenance: Requires little water. Plant in retentive, well-drained soil in full sun. Drought tolerant over extended periods.
Last update on 2025-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
