Euphorbia plants are incredibly unique. This plant comes in so many varieties that you will have endless options to choose from when it comes to completing your succulent garden. There are endless tips and tricks for properly caring for your euphorbia. But to tell you the truth, it really isn’t difficult! 

Euphorbia is a resilient perennial and it is effortless to maintain and thrive. So what is euphorbia? How do you care for your euphorbia? How do you prune your euphorbia? How do you choose what kind is best for you? Look no further; Lula’s Garden has all the answers to your questions right here!

 Let’s Start at the Beginning 

Euphorbia is one of the hundreds of varieties of succulents. This specific variety offers up tons of unique looks, colors, and growth habits. Euphorbia is not a complicated succulent to grow. Before you buy euphorbia, let’s have a look into some key facts about the perennial plant itself.

So, what is euphorbia? Another well-known name for euphorbia is “spurge.” Euphorbia species range from succulent types, euphorbia cactus, and even to the well-known poinsettia. Interestingly enough, every single euphorbia oozes a white substance when they are cut. 

Most forms of euphorbia are known as xerophytic plants. This simply means that euphorbia is a succulent variety that is resilient in the harshest climates. These harsh climates include cold winters and extremely hot summers.

A common characteristic of euphorbia is the traits that make it strikingly similar to cacti. Euphorbia produces growths that resemble traits of cacti, as well as the signature cacti spine. Euphorbia can also be set apart by the thorns that they grow. Almost every form of euphorbia grows leaves.  

A notable trait found in euphorbia is their ability to survive in hot, dry deserts. You will find a thriving euphorbia in the most intense droughts. This adaptation is made possible by the way their stems and leaves absorb energy through photosynthesis. When it rains, they store as much water as possible. In drought-like conditions, they harness sunlight and turn it into food energy. This ability makes the euphorbia especially strong and easy to care for. 

One of the most interesting traits found in the euphorbia species is that they are natively grown in Africa and Madagascar.

 Endless Varieties To Choose From 

There are roughly 2,000 species of euphorbia to choose from! This gives you endless options to make your succulent garden exactly what you want. A euphorbia is an excellent addition if you want hundreds of succulents to choose from. 

Despite the thousands of choices, there are still some common favorites include Euphorbia milii (Crown of Thorns), Euphorbia lactea (White Ghost), and Euphorbia trigona (African Milk Tree). 

Euphorbia milii are among the succulent variety. They can go an extremely long amount of time without water. The location where you will see a euphorbia milii thriving is in direct sunlight, or even in a desert. Euphorbia milii come in many bright colors. Their flowering seasons are typically in the spring and the summer. This plant can grow to heights of six feet.

Another popular euphorbia variation is the euphorbia lactea. This euphorbia variation likes bright light, but not direct sunlight. Additionally, this variation can thrive without consistent watering. The euphorbia lactea rarely blooms, but when it does, the blooms are a beautiful yellow. This euphorbia plant can grow as tall as 15 feet!

The euphorbia trigona comes in a stunning green and red variety. This plant is found naturally in Africa but is one of the most common house plants. The euphorbia trigona needs sunlight and minimal watering. When the soil gets dry, you water! It’s as simple as that. 

Some other fun facts:

• Euphorbia is also commonly referred to as the “spurge family.”
• Some of the white sap from certain euphorbia has been known to be used as purgatives in medicines.
• The flowers that grow on euphorbia grow in a cluster formation called “cyathium.” This flower formation is specific to the euphorbia succulent!
• Poinsettias are a part of the euphorbia family. 

 The Best Care for Your Euphorbia Starts Here 

Just like every succulent, euphorbia is so easy to care for. There are some general green thumb rules when caring for succulents. 

• Watering: Your succulent does not need much water. Try watering your succulent every seven to 10 days with a plastic water dropper. Fill the dropper completely, giving your euphorbia two to four dropper squeezes. 
• Light and Temperature: Indirect or direct light works best for most succulents. You do not want your succulent to be in the dark. You also should typically keep your succulents in temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees. These are traditionally very hardy plants, but if you want them to thrive, try to keep them out of the most extreme conditions if you can. 
• Repotting: Simply moisten the soil your succulent lives in, carefully remove it, and repot it in a larger space than the one before!

If you want to get specific, here are some additional tips and tricks for your euphorbia:

• Give your euphorbia soil that is well-drained. You cannot let this plant’s roots sit in the moisture for too long. 
• Euphorbia does not need excessive watering. Simply give them water when the soil is dry!
• If your plant is in a pot, make sure the pot has drainage.

There are endless features of euphorbia that make it one of the most unique succulents to own. Another incredible feature of the euphorbia is the pruning and propagation methods. You will never find an easier plant to care for. 

To cut prune euphorbia, use a sharp, clean knife and simply cut off the branching pieces of the euphorbia.

Once you prune your euphorbia, feel free to propagate! Propagation is the method used to create several more of the same plant. Your one euphorbia could produce several more euphorbia plants should you choose to propagate. 

To do this, take the pieces you cut off and replant the piece that was cut off. Place that piece somewhere to dry for a few days. Put the piece in a vase of water once it is dry (but not dried out!). Allow the roots to grow, fully emerged in the water. New roots can occur on the sides or at the location of the cut. Simply replant your euphorbia in a pot or right in the ground. Watch your euphorbia make more plants!

The euphorbia is incredibly easy to manage. Just like every other succulent, it takes no time at all to watch your euphorbia thrive. Simple and proper care is all it needs! From pruning to repotting, to simple maintenance, the euphorbia is one of the easiest succulents to own.

Everyone Wants a Euphorbia 

If you want a succulent plant that comes in thousands of varieties, a euphorbia is perfect for you. There are endless color variations, shapes, sizes, and features to choose from. This succulent is incredibly resilient. Most variations are capable of surviving drought conditions. With a little bit of attention and minimal care, your euphorbia collection is sure to thrive. Get started today!

Sources:

Euphorbia Plants are not Cacti - So What are They? | A Natural Curiosity

Euphorbia lactea | Missouri Botanical Garden

Euphorbia milii | Missouri Botanical Garden

Vegetative Propagation | International Euphorbia Society