Euphorbia triangularis - caring for the houseplant at home

Flowers

Euphorbia with its unusual triangular trunk is most often found in large offices, homes, and summer cottages. Native to America and Africa, this plant attracts attention with the unusual shape of its fleshy trunk and belongs to the succulent group. Furthermore, Euphorbia triangularis is easy to care for, and even a novice gardener can grow it: the flower quickly grows to a large size and reproduces from both apical and lateral shoots.

Characteristics of Euphorbia triangularis

Euphorbia triangularis is a perennial species of the genus Euphorbia and the family Euphorbiaceae. Experts note that the plant does not flower indoors, but its fleshy, unusually shaped stem is attractive—it resembles a candlestick with candles.

This variety grows quickly, reaching 3 meters in height. The trunk is fleshy and triangular, measuring 6 cm across. The branches are dissected, dark green with faint white streaks, and up to 20 cm in size. The ends of the branches are tipped with 0.5 cm-long, brown-tinged red spines. Oval leaves, up to 5 cm long, grow adjacent to the spines.

Signs and superstitions

The island of Madagascar is considered the birthplace of the Euphorbia triangularis, from which the flower spread to Africa and the Americas. This is due to its preference for a subtropical climate. Euphorbia has been used in folk medicine since ancient times. According to history, this species was discovered by the physician Euphorbius in 54th century BC, which is where the plant got its second name. Today, the flower is widespread throughout the world and is used as an ornamental houseplant.

There are superstitions that the thorns on the spurge's shoots protect the home from negative energy. This is why it's recommended to place a pot of the plant near the front door. There's also a belief that this plant negatively impacts sex life, so it's best not to place it in the bedroom. According to feng shui, a house where spurge blooms, which is very rare, is blessed with a favorable atmosphere.

Peculiarities of caring for Euphorbia triangularis at home

Euphorbia is an easy-to-grow plant. To ensure vigorous growth, it requires maintaining a certain temperature and lighting level, as well as regular watering and fertilizing. Regularly wiping the trunk and misting it with water in the shower is also recommended.

Remember!

If recommendations are not followed, the flower's growth slows, it loses its rich color and elasticity, the leaves turn yellow and fall off, and the root system begins to rot.

Watering and fertilizing

The plant is drought-resistant and can survive for long periods without water. Overwatering is detrimental to the root system, leading to root rot. During active growth and vegetation, experts recommend increasing the frequency of watering and ensuring the soil does not dry out. During summer, water several times a week.

For watering, use settled or filtered water, as running water is very hard and can negatively impact the plant's growth. During winter, reduce or stop watering altogether to prevent root rot. During cold weather, it's crucial to allow the substrate to dry out before watering again. This variety is undemanding in terms of air humidity and doesn't require misting.

Fertilize the young plant once a month to ensure vigorous growth. Experts recommend using mineral nitrogen fertilizers during this period.

Remember!

Fertilize once in the spring and several times in the summer. Do not fertilize the plant during the winter.

Light and temperature

This variety is a sun-loving plant. It can grow in partial shade or on a sunny windowsill. Its spines allow it to thrive in well-lit areas. However, it should be acclimated gradually to direct sunlight, as this can cause burns on the stems and leaves.

Trimming

Euphorbia is pruned to encourage denser, fuller growth. Pruning is done when the plant enters its active growth phase, that is, in late February and early March. You will need a sharp knife or scissors for this procedure. The flower's sap is very sticky, so choose tools that are easy to clean.

The top of the plant is cut off by 10-15 cm. Prepare a cloth in advance to wipe away the milky sap that flows copiously from the cut part of the flower. The sap is poisonous, so gloves and a mask should be worn during this procedure.

The cut section of the stem is sprinkled with crushed charcoal to prevent fungal and bacterial infections. Cutting off the top of the stem slows apical growth and stimulates lateral growth, resulting in a fuller, fuller flower. The cuttings can be used for propagation.

Transplanting and propagating the Euphorbia triangularis flower

Euphorbia is repotted in the spring. Young plants need to be repotted every year, while mature plants need to be repotted as needed.

To repot, remove the plant from its old pot, carefully inspect the roots for rot, and clear away any old soil. The pot should be wide but not deep, as the plant's root system is shallow.

Place drainage material at the bottom of the pot and add soil. A thick layer of drainage is essential for planting. The spurge substrate should contain leaf and wood soil, peat, sand, and humus.

Place the plant in a pot and cover with soil. Water it a few days after planting.

It can take several weeks for the flower to adapt after repotting. During this period, the spurge may wilt slightly. When using the transshipment method, the flower is carefully transferred from one pot to another without removing the old soil from the roots.

Propagation of flowers by cuttings

Euphorbia can be propagated by cuttings, seeds, or division. Leaf and stem cuttings are considered the most popular methods.

To divide the stem by cuttings, cut 10-15 cm of the trunk or use the remaining pruning material. Place the flower sections in warm water to allow the milky sap to drain completely. After this, the flowers are planted in a substrate made of peat and sand. After planting, the young plant is watered with warm water and covered with plastic wrap. The pot is placed in a dark, warm place for rooting, which occurs after several weeks.

Milkweed in bloom

This species does not bloom indoors. In its natural habitat, however, it produces small white flowers. It is impossible to force it to bloom, so it should be considered a non-flowering species.

Benefits and harms for humans

Euphorbia is believed to absorb electromagnetic radiation and purify the air in the home from unpleasant odors. The plant's sap also kills bacteria and germs. Despite this, the flower's mild scent can disrupt sleep.

It also contains toxic sap, which can cause an allergic reaction in both humans and animals. Furthermore, the sap causes redness and inflammation when it comes into contact with mucous membranes, and if it gets into the eyes, it can cause blindness.

In ancient times, milkweed was used to treat calluses and remove warts and parasites. In ancient India, milkweed juice helped neutralize snake venom after a bite. Today, doctors do not recommend using milkweed for such purposes. When the plant's juice comes into contact with the skin, it causes redness and severe itching. In some cases, this can lead to cardiovascular failure.

Advice!

To protect yourself from harm to the plant, you must use gloves and a mask when replanting and pruning.

Frequently asked questions about growing

How to clean dust from a very large milkweed?

To do this, wipe the plant with a cloth soaked in warm water, or spray it and wipe it with a dry cloth.

What happens if you swallow milkweed juice?

The flower's sap is toxic to humans, and ingesting it can damage the mucous membranes of the mouth and esophagus. If the sap is swallowed, rinse the stomach with copious amounts of water and seek medical attention immediately.

Why does the milkweed plant stretch so much?

This species is characterized by its rapid growth. To slow this growth and encourage the plant to expand, it needs to be pruned. Indoors, this spurge does not grow more than 3 meters.

Why did a dark spot appear on the stem very close to the ground and what should I do about it?

The appearance of dark spots on the lower part of the stem may indicate improper growing conditions, specifically overwatering. Dark spots can also be caused by a fungal disease. To eliminate the spots, optimize growing conditions and, if necessary, treat with fungicides.

Euphorbia triangularis is a common, fast-growing flower. It attracts attention with its unusual stem shape and low maintenance requirements. However, the plant is not safe to grow—its sap is poisonous to humans, so gloves and a mask are required when transplanting and pruning.