Plants in family euphorbiaceae
Codiaeum variegatum 'Petra'
Codiaeum variegatum 'Petra' is a tropical shrub known for its striking multicolored foliage, featuring red, yellow, and green leaves. It grows 6-8 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide, thriving in USDA zones 9-11. This plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight and consistently moist, well-draining soil, making it versatile for both indoor and outdoor settings.
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Variegata'
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Variegata' is a fast-growing succulent shrub with reddish flowers and variegated leaves that may blush pink in winter. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers to be on the dry side.
Euphorbia mauritanica
Euphorbia mauritanica, also known as Pencil Milkbrush, is a drought-tolerant plant native to Southern Africa and Namibia. It thrives in sunny, south-facing locations and is well-suited to dry conditions. This plant is notable for its resilience and ability to grow in challenging environments.
Euphorbia milii
Euphorbia milii, commonly known as the crown of thorns, is a woody succulent native to Madagascar. It features densely spiny stems and small flowers with conspicuous red, pink, or white bracts. This plant blooms year-round and is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 9b-11. Its sap is moderately poisonous, causing skin and eye irritation, and it is toxic to animals. Euphorbia milii is also an effective molluscicide, recommended for snail control in schistosomiasis areas.
Euphorbia pulcherrima
Euphorbia pulcherrima, commonly known as the poinsettia, is native to Mexico and Central America. It is famous for its red and green foliage, often used in Christmas displays. This semi-evergreen shrub can grow up to 13 feet tall and is not toxic to pets or children, though ingestion may cause mild discomfort. It requires darkness to change bract color and is susceptible to various plant diseases.
Euphorbia pteroneura
Euphorbia pteroneura is a succulent shrub native to Mexico, characterized by fleshy green stems with small leaves at the tips. It is drought-tolerant and requires well-draining soil, with the ability to tolerate light frost.
Euphorbia ledienii
Euphorbia ledienii is a succulent shrub native to South Africa, resembling a cactus. It can grow up to 6.5 feet tall and requires full sun and well-draining soil.
Acalypha pendula
Acalypha pendula, also known as Red Hot Cat Tails, is a subshrub native to the Caribbean. It features medium green oval leaves and drooping inflorescences lined with flowers. The plant thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It is part of the Euphorbiaceae family and is known for its unique, eye-catching blooms.
Poinsettia 'Red'
Poinsettia 'Red' is a tropical plant indigenous to Mexico and Central America, widely recognized for its vibrant red and green foliage. It is a popular choice for Christmas floral displays, although it can also have pink, white, and variegated leaves. Poinsettias thrive in low light conditions and are typically grown as indoor plants. Their striking color and festive appearance make them a staple in holiday decorations.
Euphorbia decaryi
Euphorbia decaryi is a spreading, evergreen succulent native to Madagascar, found in dry forests and rocky areas. It grows up to 6 inches tall and features thick, lanceolate leaves with undulated margins and woody stems with short spines. The plant blooms from April to June, displaying chartreuse, yellow-green, yellow, or red flowers. It prefers bright, indirect light and a temperature range of 40 to 100°F, with soil that dries between waterings.
Euphorbia decaryi var. decaryi
Euphorbia decaryi var. decaryi is a small caudiciform plant endemic to Madagascar, known for its highly variable leaf shapes and colors. It features lanceolate leaves with green variegation and a red-tinted reverse, forming a woody caudex close to the soil. This plant naturally takes a bonsai-like shape and is suitable for bright light conditions.
Euphorbia palustris
Euphorbia palustris is a striking herbaceous perennial known for its bright acid yellow flower-heads in spring and vibrant red and yellow foliage in autumn. Native to European and Asian marshlands, it thrives in moist conditions, even tolerating shallow standing water. This plant is recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It can spread by seeding in suitable moist environments. However, caution is advised as all parts are toxic if ingested and the sap can irritate skin.
Euphorbia clava
Euphorbia clava, originating from the East Cape, is a cylindrical plant suited for well-drained soil in full sun. It can be grown indoors and requires regular watering during its active growing season. The plant is frost-tender and can be propagated by cuttings.
Euphorbia ammak 'Variegata'
Euphorbia ammak 'Variegata' is an upright succulent that can grow up to 30 feet in its native habitat, with a thick woody stem marbled in light green and white. It prefers sun to partial sun and should be allowed to dry between waterings.
Euphorbia mammillaris
This columnar-shaped plant has thick spines and flowers that range from white to yellow to red. It is simple to care for, requiring full sun, infrequent watering, and well-draining soil. It rarely needs repotting and thrives in temperatures above 21°C with moderate humidity.
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Variegatus'
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Variegatus', commonly known as the 'Zigzag Plant' or 'Devil's Backbone', is a succulent native to the West Indies and Mexico. It features succulent stems with white, milky sap and green leaves variegated with white and pink. This plant is drought-tolerant and can adapt to a range of sunlight conditions, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings.
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Nana'
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Nana' is a compact plant that thrives in bright, indirect light and temperatures ranging from 40 to 100 degrees. It grows up to 6 inches tall and prefers humidity around 50%. The soil should be allowed to dry between waterings, making it a low-maintenance choice for indoor gardens.
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Curly Pink'
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Curly Pink' thrives in bright, indirect light and temperatures between 40 to 100°F. It grows up to 6 inches tall and prefers humidity around 50%, with soil that dries between waterings.
Euphorbia spinea
Euphorbia spinea is a spineless shrub native to Namibia, characterized by its thin, almost cylindrical stems forming bushy clumps. The plant's branches often grow in opposite pairs and have sharp pointed tips, with color changing to darker maroon or brown in winter.
Euphorbia baioensis
Euphorbia baioensis is a spiny succulent native to Kenya, thriving in hot, dry conditions typical of tropical deserts. This small shrub-like plant features greyish-green upright stems and produces pale yellow flowers in spring and summer. It prefers full sun to partial shade and requires dry soil between waterings, making it well-suited for xeriscaping in USDA zones 10b-11.
Euphorbia susannae
Euphorbia susannae is a small clustering succulent with chubby stems and rows of tubercles. It produces yellow flowers from round seed capsules, blooming in fall or spring. This plant grows up to 4 inches tall and 12 inches in diameter, thriving in full indirect sunlight and requiring regular watering to prevent root rot.
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Splish Splash'
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Splish Splash' is a compact plant known for its bright, indirect light requirements and temperature tolerance from 40 to 100 degrees. It grows up to 6 inches tall and prefers humidity around 50%, with soil that dries between waterings. This low-maintenance plant is ideal for indoor spaces, offering a unique appearance with its distinctive foliage.
Euphorbia epithymoides
Euphorbia epithymoides, native to Southern Europe, is a compact perennial with acid yellow flower-heads in spring and summer. It naturalizes well in gardens and is known for its clump-forming habit. The cultivar 'Major' has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Euphorbia ferox
Euphorbia ferox, or pincushion euphorbia, is a spiny succulent shrublet from South Africa. It prefers a very draining mineral potting substrate and requires moderate watering, except in the coldest winter month. This plant thrives in full sun to light shade and is known for its bright yellow flowers.
Euphorbia milii 'Pink Hybrid'
Euphorbia milii 'Pink Hybrid' is a thorny-stemmed plant with medium-sized bright green leaves and an upright growth habit. It blooms most of the year with bright pink flowers and thrives in sun to partial shade. This plant reaches 18-24 inches in height and prefers to dry out between waterings.
Euphorbia tirucalli
Euphorbia tirucalli, also known as 'Pencil Cactus,' is a succulent shrub or small tree native to Africa. It is characterized by its pencil-thick, green branches and yellow flowers. The plant contains a milky, toxic sap that can cause temporary blindness, so caution is advised when handling. It thrives in well-drained soils with plenty of bright light, making it suitable for semi-arid tropical climates. Despite its toxicity, it is used in alternative medicine and its latex can be utilized as fuel. Its unique appearance and adaptability to dry conditions make it an interesting addition to xeriscapes.
Euphorbia ritchiei 'Variegata'
Euphorbia ritchiei 'Variegata' is a succulent spurge from Kenya, characterized by its thick, glaucous stems with tubercles and white variegated leaves that turn pink in high light. The plant forms mounds as it branches from the base, making it an interesting addition to succulent collections.