Euphorbia

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Poinsettia

A deciduous shrub native to the seasonally dry forests and slopes of Mexico and Guatemala, where it grows in warmth with bright but filtered light. Give it a bright spot out of harsh midday sun and let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering, then water thoroughly and let excess drain. It resents sitting wet, so err toward dry rather than soggy.

Euphorbia milii

Crown Of Thorns

Euphorbia milii is a semisucculent subshrub from Madagascar, with stems and leaves that store water and tolerate drought far better than wet feet. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally several hours of direct sun, in fast-draining gritty mix. Water only when the top two inches of mix are fully dry, then water deeply; in low light or cool months, extend the interval and err on the dry side.

Euphorbia tirucalli

Firestick Pencil Cactus

Euphorbia tirucalli is a semisucculent shrub or tree from Madagascar, storing water in its pencil-thick green stems and rotting if kept wet. Give it bright, direct light and a fast-draining gritty mix, and water only when the mix has dried completely through to the bottom. It tolerates dry air and neglect far better than excess moisture.

Euphorbia trigona

African Milktree

Euphorbia trigona is a succulent shrub that stores water in its upright, triangular green stems, so it tolerates drought far better than standing wet. Give it bright light with some direct sun, plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix, and water only when the soil has dried out completely to the bottom of the pot. In lower light or cooler conditions, lean toward the longer interval.

Euphorbia lathyris

Caper Spurge

Euphorbia lathyris is a member of the spurge family, a group of plants adapted to lean, well-drained soils that store water and resent sitting wet. Plant it in a gritty, fast-draining mix and let the top two inches of soil dry fully before watering again. Like other euphorbias it produces a milky latex when cut, which can irritate skin and eyes, so handle with care.

Euphorbia tithymaloides

Devil's Backbone

A succulent shrub from warm, often seasonally dry regions across the Caribbean and tropical Americas, storing water in its zigzag stems and rotting if kept wet. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and water only when the top two inches are fully dry; it tolerates bright indirect light and can take some direct sun once acclimated. Lean toward under-watering, especially in cooler months.

Euphorbia peplus

Petty Spurge

Euphorbia peplus is a small annual ruderal weed native across Europe, the Mediterranean, and into the Middle East and West Himalaya, at home in disturbed open ground rather than lush conditions. Give it bright light and a fast-draining mix, and water only when the top inch or so of soil has dried out, since it tolerates dryness far better than sitting wet. As an annual it completes its life in a single season, so expect flowering, seed set, and decline rather than long-term growth.

Euphorbia ingens

Cactus Spurge

A succulent tree from the hot, semi-arid regions of southern and eastern Africa, with a columnar candelabra habit that stores water in its stems. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you can and a gritty, fast-draining mix. Water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely, roughly every two to four weeks, since stored water means it rots far more easily than it thirsts.

Euphorbia lactea

Mottled Spurge

A succulent shrub from Sri Lanka, this Euphorbia stores water in its upright stems and is built to endure long dry spells. Plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely, roughly every two to four weeks; it rots far more readily than it goes thirsty. It tolerates direct sun once acclimated but is safest in a bright spot with strong indirect light.

Euphorbia leuconeura

Madagascar Jewel

Euphorbia leuconeura is a semisucculent subshrub from Madagascar that stores water in its stem and rots if kept wet. Plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and water only when the top two inches of soil are fully dry, then water deeply. It tolerates bright indirect light and can take some direct sun once acclimated.

Euphorbia marginata

Snow On The Mountain

An annual native to the open plains and dry country of central North America and Mexico, this Euphorbia is built for full sun and lean, fast-draining soil. Let the soil dry well between waterings and water only when the top two inches are dry, since it tolerates drought far better than soggy roots. As a true annual it completes its life cycle in a single season, setting seed before it dies back.

Euphorbia resinifera

Resin Spurge

Euphorbia resinifera is a succulent shrub from the arid mountains of Morocco, storing water in its angular green stems and demanding gritty, fast-draining mineral mix. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally several hours of direct sun, and let the soil dry out completely before watering deeply but infrequently. Water only when the mix is bone dry well below the surface; when in doubt, wait longer.

Euphorbia myrsinites

Broad-leaved Glaucous-spurge

A hardy perennial from the dry, rocky slopes of the Mediterranean and Caucasus, with succulent blue-green foliage built to store water through long dry spells. Give it gritty, fast-draining soil and full sun, and water deeply only when the mix has dried out completely — wait until the top several inches are bone dry before watering again. It tolerates neglect far better than wet feet, which will rot the roots.

Euphorbia cyparissias

Cypress Spurge

Euphorbia cyparissias is a hardy perennial of open, sunny European meadows and dry grassland, so it wants full direct light and a gritty, fast-draining mix. It stores against drought and rots if kept wet — let the mix dry out fully and water only when the top two inches are dry to the touch. It tolerates cool, dry household air and dislikes sitting in moisture around the roots.

Euphorbia canariensis

Canary Island Spurge

Euphorbia canariensis is a columnar succulent shrub native to the arid, sun-exposed slopes of the Canary Islands, so it stores water in its stems and wants gritty, fast-draining mix and strong direct light. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely throughout the pot; when in doubt, wait longer, as standing moisture rots the roots. It tolerates dry indoor air well and needs no added humidity.

Euphorbia cotinifolia

Caribbean Copperplant

A deciduous shrub or small tree from tropical Central and South America, grown for its deep red foliage that colors best in strong light. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally several hours of direct sun, in a free-draining mix. Let the top two inches of soil dry before watering, roughly every 7 to 14 days, and water less in winter when growth slows.

Euphorbia amygdaloides

Wood Spurge

Euphorbia amygdaloides is a hardy perennial native to woodland edges and temperate scrub across Europe, the Caucasus and Iran, so it tolerates a range of conditions but resents sitting wet. Give it a bright spot with some indirect light, gritty well-draining mix, and let the top inch or two of soil dry before watering. Its cut stems exude a milky latex that should not contact skin or eyes.

Euphorbia antisyphilitica

Candelilla

A semisucculent subshrub from the arid scrublands of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, this Euphorbia stores water in its stems and wants gritty, fast-draining mix. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you have and water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely through the pot. It tolerates dry air well and rots if left sitting in moisture.

Euphorbia neriifolia

Hedge Euphorbia

A succulent shrub or tree from the dry regions of South Asia, Euphorbia neriifolia stores water in its fleshy stems and wants gritty, fast-draining mix and plenty of direct sun. Let the soil dry out fully and water only when the top several inches are dry to the touch, since it rots far more readily from standing wet than from drought.

Euphorbia antiquorum

Triangular Spurge

A succulent tree native to the seasonally dry tropics of South and Southeast Asia, storing water in its ridged, branching stems. It wants gritty, fast-draining mix and deep but infrequent watering — let the soil dry out completely, then water only when the mix is dry several inches down. Give it the brightest light you can, ideally direct sun, and keep it on the dry side, as sitting wet will rot the stems.

Euphorbia epithymoides

Cushion Spurge

Euphorbia epithymoides is a hardy herbaceous perennial from open, sunny, well-drained habitats across central and southeastern Europe. Give it strong light and gritty, fast-draining soil, and let the top two inches of mix dry fully before watering again. It tolerates dryness far better than soggy roots, so water sparingly and never leave it standing wet.

Euphorbia leucocephala

Pascuita

A deciduous shrub or small tree native to seasonally dry forests from Mexico through Central America to Colombia, accustomed to strong light and a pronounced dry season. Give it the brightest spot you have and let the top two inches of mix dry out before watering deeply, easing off further in cool or dormant months. It tolerates ordinary household humidity and resents staying wet.

Euphorbia geroldii

Thornless Crown Of Thorns

A semisucculent shrub from Madagascar, Euphorbia geroldii stores moisture in its stems and wants gritty, fast-draining mix with strong light. Water deeply only when the top two inches of mix are fully dry, letting it approach dryness between drinks; standing wet causes rot. It tolerates dry indoor air and benefits from bright direct sun.

Euphorbia corollata

Flowering Spurge

A herbaceous perennial native to open, sunny meadows and dry prairies across eastern and central North America, where it tolerates lean soil and seasonal dryness. Give it full sun and sharply draining, gritty mix, and water only when the top two inches have gone dry. It dies back in winter and stores energy in its roots, so keep it on the dry side during dormancy to avoid rot.

Euphorbia rigida

Upright Myrtle Spurge

Euphorbia rigida is a succulent spurge in the family Euphorbiaceae, built to store water in its fleshy, blue-green stems and tolerate dry, sunny conditions. Give it bright light, gritty fast-draining mix, and water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely — when the top several inches are dry and the stems begin to look lean. It rots quickly if left sitting in moisture, so err toward keeping it dry.

Euphorbia oblongata

Balkan Spurge

Euphorbia oblongata is a perennial spurge native to the eastern Mediterranean and Balkans, adapted to bright open ground and dry summers. Grow it in fast-draining, gritty mix and water only when the top two inches have dried fully, hedging toward the drier end since it resents sitting wet. It tolerates ordinary household humidity and does not need misting.

Euphorbia grandicornis

Cow's Horn Euphorbia

A spiny succulent shrub from the hot, seasonally dry regions of southern Africa, storing water in its ridged green stems. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and the brightest spot you have, ideally some direct sun. Water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely to the bottom of the pot, and err toward leaving it dry rather than wet.

Euphorbia mauritanica

Jackal's-food

A semisucculent subshrub from the arid Cape and Namibian scrub, this Euphorbia stores moisture in its stems and wants deep, infrequent watering in fast-draining, gritty mix. Let the soil dry out fully and water only when the top several centimetres are bone dry; it tolerates strong sun and resents sitting wet.

Euphorbia cooperi

Candelabra Tree

A succulent tree from the hot, seasonally dry savannas of southern and eastern Africa, storing water in its columnar stems and rotting easily if kept wet. Give it gritty, fast-draining soil and bright direct light, and water deeply only once the mix has dried out completely — let the top several inches go fully dry before watering again. Cut back further in winter, when the plant is dormant and needs very little.

Euphorbia lomelii

Slipper Plant

A succulent shrub from arid northwest Mexico, Euphorbia lomelii stores water in its stems and wants gritty, fast-draining mix with strong light. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely through to the bottom of the pot. It rots quickly if left sitting in moisture, so err toward keeping it dry.

Euphorbia glauca

Shore Spurge

Euphorbia glauca is a member of the spurge family, a group whose succulent and semi-succulent members store water and resent staying wet. Plant it in gritty, free-draining mix and let the top several centimetres of soil dry fully before watering again. Give it a bright spot, some direct sun if available, and err toward keeping it too dry rather than too wet.

Euphorbia bracteata

Little Bird Flower

A semisucculent shrub native to the arid and seasonally dry regions of Mexico, this Euphorbia stores water in its stems and rots if kept wet. Grow it in gritty, fast-draining mix and let the soil dry out well between waterings — water only when the top two inches are fully dry. It tolerates bright indirect light and can take some direct sun once acclimated.

Euphorbia cyathophora

Fire On The Mountain

Euphorbia cyathophora is an annual or biennial herb ranging widely from the warm Americas into temperate North America, suited to open, sunny, well-drained ground. Give it bright light and a gritty, free-draining mix, and water only when the top inch or two of soil has dried out. Like other spurges it bleeds a milky latex when cut.

Euphorbia graminea

Grassleaf Spurge

Euphorbia graminea is an annual from seasonally dry regions across Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, adapted to warmth and bright sun. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and full light, and let the top inch or two of soil dry out before watering again. As an annual it completes its life cycle in a single season, so expect natural decline after flowering rather than a long-lived houseplant.

Euphorbia umbellata

African Milk Bush

A succulent shrub or tree from the seasonally dry woodlands of equatorial East Africa, this Euphorbia stores water in its stems and rots if kept wet. Plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and water deeply only when the top several inches have gone fully dry. It takes bright light and can tolerate some direct sun once acclimated, but does not need added humidity.