Euphorbia, or spurge, is a succulent plant in the spurge family, used for landscaping, residential, and office spaces. The plant is native to the subtropics of Africa and America. Some spurge varieties can be grown in Russia's climate. Euphorbia is easy to grow: just water, repot, and fertilize regularly.
General description of the flower with a photo
Euphorbia is a group of annual and perennial succulents. This plant has fleshy leaves that store moisture. When the leaf blade is damaged, it releases a toxic sap. This sap contains euphorbone, mineral salts, and amorphous copper. The root system is rhizome-like. The stems are erect or prostrate and branched, reaching up to 2 meters in length.
The plant is characterized by an unusual type of inflorescence—a cyathium—consisting of several stamens and a single pistil. The flowers are surrounded by bracts of varying color. Most spurges bloom from June to the first month of autumn. Some plant varieties are dioecious, meaning the euphorbia bears only male or female flowers. The fruits are trilobed, separating into three single-seeded nuts.
Types of milkweed
About 200 species of Euphorbiaceae grow in Russia: they can be found along roadsides, on the banks of bodies of water, and in fields. Members of the family vary by species, including succulent, deciduous, and leafless plants. There are also indoor varieties, including Poinsettia, Milia, Euphorbia obesa, Euphorbia leucovina, and Caput medusa.
Poinsettia
In its natural habitat, it is a shrub growing up to 3 m in height. The inflorescences are yellowish and gathered in a rosette. The flowers have red bracts, and the leaves are ovate, oblong, with serrated edges, 10-15 cm long.
Euphorbia almond-shaped
A plant up to 1 m tall with an erect or ascending stem covered in dense foliage. The leaves are obovate, greenish-yellow. Five to six flower stalks form at the apex. Flowering begins from late April to May, and the cyathia are yellow. Euphorbia is frost-resistant and is grown as a houseplant.
Euphorbia bighorn
A succulent plant up to 2 m tall, reminiscent of a cactus. The trunk is zigzag, massive, and up to 1 m thick. The stems are branched, with thin, wing-like ribs. The leaves are small, scale-like, and fall off in winter. The flower has spines on the stem, and yellow cyathia grow above the spines.
Euphorbia plump
A spherical succulent resembling a stone in appearance, the plant is compact, reaching a height of up to 30 cm and a diameter of up to 10 cm. The trunk is devoid of branches and leaves. The ribs are vertical, with transverse grooves. Insect pollination is required for fruit set.
Euphorbia marginata
In its natural habitat, this annual plant grows on mountain slopes in North America. The shoots are sparsely branched, covered with green leaves, and reach a length of 80 cm. In August, white flowers form on them, and the leaf edges take on a silvery hue. For this characteristic, the marginated euphorbia is also known as "Summer Snow." It blooms until the first frost.
Myrsinites
A low-growing herbaceous plant, the shoots grow up to 30 cm long. The stems are prostrate or ascending, heavily foliated. The leaf blades vary depending on the variety: those of the overwintering spurge are rounded, while those of the non-overwintering spurge are oblong and obovate. The flowering period is from April to June. The flowers are small, yellow-red, and lack a perianth.
Lactea cristata mix
Euphorbia is captivating due to its unusual shape—the plant resembles an open fan. The stem is light green, with spines, irregularities, and growths. Small red-pink flowers are arranged along the edges of the comb.
Cypress euphorbia
The plant grows up to 30 cm tall. The stems are erect, branched, and heavily foliated. The lower leaves are scale-like, while the cauline leaves are oblong. 10-18 flower stalks form at the apex. It blooms from April to September. In its natural habitat, it grows in pine forests, hills, and fields.
Euphorbia triangularis
In the wild, Euphorbia spicata grows in subtropical climates. African Euphorbia does not flower; its stems and leaves contain a sap that causes a burn when in contact with skin. The plant grows 1-2 meters tall, with large, triangular, and fleshy stems. It is drought-resistant and does not turn yellow when exposed to direct sunlight.
Diamond Frost
Fluffy bushes of slender shoots bloom with snow-white flowers at the top. The leaves are ovoid with rounded edges. The height of the bush is 30 cm, the diameter is 50 cm. This hybrid variety can be grown both outdoors and in containers.
Ammak
A tree-like succulent, reminiscent of a cactus in appearance. In its natural habitat, the plant can reach 10 meters in height. The shoots are erect and thorny. The leaves are lanceolate and fall quickly. The cyathia are yellow-green, with 5 nectaries.
Care tips
Plant milkweed in shaded areas away from drafts. When grown indoors, place the plant near a southwest- or southeast-facing window. Provide 8-10 hours of daylight; use a grow light during winter to provide the required light level.
Features of growing and caring for milkweed at home:
- Maintain a temperature of +20…+25ºС in summer and +17…+20ºС in winter, with air humidity no more than 60%. Avoid drafts and sudden temperature changes.
- Water with warm, settled water as the soil dries out. Avoid allowing water to stagnate, as this will cause root rot.
- Remove any dirt with a brush or damp cloth. If the leaves are heavily dusted, spray the plant with a stream of water.
- Pruning is the removal of diseased and damaged branches. This procedure is also performed for aesthetic purposes—pinching off the top of the plant improves the plant's ornamental qualities.
Euphorbia needs to be repotted every two years. This is done in April-March, at the beginning of the growing season. For repotting, use a container 1-2 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. Euphorbia is repotted using the transshipment method—removing it from the pot along with the root ball.
Methods of reproduction
The plant propagates by seed and vegetatively. Sowing time is March, after soaking the seed in warm water for two hours. Place one seed in each container. To prevent water stagnation, make a drainage hole in the bottom of the container. The soil should be loose; the optimal substrate is a mixture of peat, sand, turf, and leaf mold in equal parts.
The method of vegetative propagation depends on the type of spurge: cuttings, division, or shoots. Cuttings are taken from May to June. Shoots should be cut to lengths of 10-15 cm and the flowers removed. The sap is washed off with warm water to prevent the plant from rotting. The cut areas are sprinkled with charcoal, dried for 24 hours, and placed in soil for germination. When dividing the plant, the roots are separated, and the plant is repotted in a separate container. For foliar propagation, the base of the leaf is treated with Kornevin or another growth stimulant and placed in soil for germination.
Pests and diseases
If care instructions are not followed, the plant becomes susceptible to fungal infections, including root, stem, and gray rot, powdery mildew, and bacterial wilt. These diseases are most often caused by overwatering and high humidity. To resolve the problem, repot the plant and treat it with fungicides such as Previkur Energy, Skor, or Maxim.
Euphorbias are also susceptible to pests, including mealybugs, aphids, whiteflies, and scale insects. These insects feed on the plant's sap, causing the plant to shed its leaves and wither. To combat these pests, repotting, replacing the soil, and spraying with insecticides such as Actellic, Fosbecid, and Aktara are recommended.
Frequently asked questions
Answer: Lower leaves are falling off due to overwatering. Try repotting the plant and changing the soil. If the top leaves are falling off, it's due to a phosphorus deficiency. Apply superphosphate as a fertilizer. Leaf drop can also be caused by a pest infestation—spray the plant with an insecticide.
Answer: Dividing a bush can cause stress to the plant, especially if the procedure damaged the root system. Be patient; the plant will recover in 2-3 years.
Answer: The plant has entered a dormant period; one watering per month is sufficient.
Answer: It is likely that scale insects are progressing on the plant.
Euphorbia is used for growing indoors and as a garden decoration. The plant looks great in mixed borders, edgings, flower beds, and rockeries. Long-horned euphorbia will brighten up a shady flowerbed. Marsh spurge is used to decorate coastal areas. Some varieties of euphorbia are used in bouquets. Before placing the plant in a vase, the cut end should be treated with boiling water.
The most fashionable flowers of 2025
Large ceramic pots and planters: what's the difference and how to choose the right one for your plants?
Beauty and Ease of Care: Top 10 Most Beautiful and Easy-to-Care Indoor Flowers
Top 15 Flowers That Last Long in a Vase