Euphorbia Uses, Photos and Cautions

About SUCCULENT EUPHORBIAS

Euphorbia is a huge genus composed of plants with milky sap, including spurges and poinsettias. Those that are succulents range from marble-size spheres to 30-foot trees. Some species resemble cacti [how to tell the difference] and are just as efficient at storing water.

Scroll down for a Gallery of readily available succulent euphorbias for residential gardens. (Do notice the plants' Fibonacci spirals!)

Climate

Euphorbias thrive in mild, dry climates. Give them the same care as most succulents (as explained in my books and on this site's Succulent Care Basics page). With few exceptions, succulent euphorbias can't handle temperatures into the 20s F, scorching sun, desert heat, high humidity, or cold+wet.

Euphorbias are on my list of succulents for coastal Southern CA gardens. Farther inland, protect them from harsh midday sun and frost.

Flowers, pods and spines

Euphorbia muirii

What appear to be flowers on euphorbias are actually bracts that surround tiny flowers (this is true of all euphorbias, including poinsettias). Bracts of succulent euphorbias are most often yellow, though some are white, purple, rust or burgundy.

Euphorbia "flowers" are followed by beadlike seed capsules.

Euphorbia spines emerge in pairs that suggest cow horns.

Can't Tell a Spiny Euphorbia from a Cactus? Find Out How!

Discover the differences then take the fun and easy quiz at the end. You'll be surprised how much you've learned!

Euphorbias for the Landscape

Euphorbia ammak 'Variegata' in the back yard of Brandon Bullard, owner of Desert Theater nursery. Nearby are fence post cacti: Lophocereus (Pachycereus) marginatus.

Among those euphorbias useful for adding height and vertical interest to mild-climate gardens are tall, statuesque varieties that resemble columnar cacti. Those found in nurseries are primarily Euphorbia ammak and Euphorbia ingens.

Shrub-like euphorbias (shown in the gallery below) include E. canariensis, E. cooperi, E. leucadendron, E. milii (grown for its brilliant year-round "flowers"), E. mauritanica, and E. resinifera---to name a few.

Euphorbia rigida (gopher spurge)

Note: Shrubby Euphorbia rigida, above, is invading regional parks in in the east Bay Area, according to California Plant Society volunteers who report difficulty slowing its spread. The plant reseeds readily, as evidenced in my own Southern CA garden. Fortunately it's shallow-rooted and fairly easy to pull. You do need to stay on top of it, though.

Euphorbias for containers

Small euphorbias are highly collectible and do well as potted plants. Of note in the gallery below include E. aeruginosa, E. anoplia, E. meloformis, and highly popular E. obesa, E. suzannae and E. polygona 'Snowflake'.

Another type of succulent euphorbia earns its own classification: medusoid, so-named for having stems that radiate from a central point, like Medusa's hair. Visit the Medusa Euphorbia page.

Caution

Milky sap that oozes from the cut stems or trunks of euphorbias can cause a skin rash and eye irritation so severe it sends the victim to the hospital. Wear gloves and eye protection when pruning euphorbias, and don't plant where children or dogs play. Watch my pruning video: