How to Plant and Grow Euphorbia

Euphorbia is a large genus of plants, consisting of thousands of annual and perennial species, many of which make beautiful and hearty landscape plants. Euphorbias come in a variety of shapes and sizes, many boasting cacti-like leaves and colorful striations of red, white, and more. Nearly all euphorbia species are succulents, and those that aren’t are best described as woody shrubs or herbaceous plants. Many exude a sticky white latex sap from their stems, which is a known irritant to humans, dogs, and cats.

Where to Plant Euphorbia

Because euphorbias are so versatile and tough, they can be planted in any location in your garden or landscape, so long as the spot gets enough sunlight. Their colorful variations will look right at home in a garden bed alongside other flowers, but you can also use the various species as a stunning mixed border.

Likewise, euphorbia plants also make great options for container gardening, both indoors and out. The plants will go dormant throughout the winter, but will otherwise perform with color and vigor throughout much of the growing season.

How and When to Plant Euphorbia

Plant euphorbia outdoors in the spring after all chance of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed to at least 40°F. The most important determining factor in a euphorbia plant’s success is excellent drainage. These plants will rot if their soil stays too moist. When grown as a houseplant, euphorbias can be planted at any time in a cacti and succulent potting mix.

Euphorbia Care Tips

Though different species of euphorbia may have particular needs, much of their care requirements are the same across the genus. While the plants may take a bit of coddling when getting established, they are generally very self-sufficient and even thrive off a bit of neglect.

Light

Locate your euphorbia plant in full sunlight, where it receives at least six to eight hours of direct light daily. In especially hot climates, a bit of afternoon shade can help prevent the plants from drying out or burning.

Soil and Water

Euphorbia are especially sensitive to soggy soil, so planting them in a well-draining location is a must. Typically, a sandy mixture with a neutral pH is best—if your garden soil is too dense, you can amend it with a bit of perlite to help things along. If you’re planting your euphorbia in containers, a standard cacti/succulent potting mix should do just fine.

When it comes to watering your euphorbia, keep an eye on how moist the soil is feeling. You’ll want to wait to water your plant until the top few inches of soil are completely dry. Euphorbia plants generally only need consistent watering when they’re actively growing during the spring, summer, and fall. During the winter months, you only have to water when the plant shows signs of wilting.

Temperature and Humidity

Euphorbia plants are fairly adaptable to a variety of temperatures, though many species definitely prefer the warmer temperatures of late spring and summer. Most euphorbias grow well in temperatures as low as 50°F, though some can even tolerate a light frost.

Humidity needs vary from species to species for euphorbia, but regardless of tolerance, these plants need good ventilation thanks to their dense shape. Be sure to space your euphorbia plants out from one another and surrounding plants to lower the risk of fungal diseases, especially in wet or humid climates.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer needs will depend on which euphorbia species you’re growing. However, nearly all types will benefit from a light feeding in early spring at the beginning of their growing season. These plants do best with a mild, balanced organic fertilizer—alternatively, you can mix in compost a few times throughout the spring and summer. Euphorbias in containers may need more frequent feedings than those planted in the ground.

Pruning

The type of pruning your euphorbia plant needs will depend on the specific species—there are some, like evergreen euphorbias, that need to have their spent blooms removed, while others should be cut down to the ground each autumn. Research the needs of the exact species you’ve planted before proceeding with any pruning.

Protective gear is necessary when pruning euphorbia. All plants in the genus have a thick, milky sap that can irritate the eyes and skin, so gloves are a great precaution.

Potting and Repotting Euphorbia

Euphorbia is an ideal specimen for container gardening either indoors or outdoors. When potting euphorbia, plant it in a cacti and succulent potting mix that drains quickly. You can also opt to put the plant in a terracotta or clay pot, which will help wick away excess moisture from the soil so your water-sensitive euphorbia is less likely to develop root rot.

Types of Euphorbia

Growth rate and the flowering season varies depending on the type of euphorbia. Here are some popular and easy-to-grow varieties:

‘Diamond Frost’ Euphorbia

This hybrid euphorbia is one of the most popular container plants. Wonderfully heat- and drought-tolerant resistant, it produces a continuous supply of frothy blooms from spring to fall. It grows 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide, and is hardy in Zones 10-11.

Fire Stick Plant

Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Rosea’, or Fire Sticks, is a tropical variety of euphorbia often grown as an annual. This distinct variety has leafless stems in shades of bright orange, red, and pink, giving it the likeness of flames. It grows 36 inches tall and 24 inches wide and is perennial in Zones 9-11.

Cushion Spurge

Euphorbia polychroma is a perennial type that grows in mounding clumps and is often chosen for its showy golden-yellow flowers, which emerge in late spring. Cushion spurge typically grows between 12 and 18 inches tall and is hardy to Zones 4-8.

‘Helena’s Blush’ Euphorbia

This euphorbia cultivar is perennial but is often grown as an annual in containers. It bears green foliage blushed with purple and edged in creamy yellow. The plant grows 20 inches tall and wide. It’s hardy in Zones 6-9.

Euphorbia Companion Plants

Euphorbia pairs beautifully with a number of other garden plants, accenting both annuals and perennials with its lush, bushy growth and unique shapes. Some common companion plants include:

Angelonia

Also, known as summer snapdragon, angelonia has salvia-like flower spires that reach over a foot high and are studded with snapdragon-like blooms in hues of purple, white, or pink. Most gardeners treat angelonia as an annual, and it’s the perfect plant for adding bright color to hot, sunny spaces.

Coral Bells

Previously enjoyed for their spires of dainty reddish flowers, coral bells are now grown as much for their unusual mottling and veining of different-color leaves. The low clumps of long-stemmed evergreen or semi-evergreen lobed foliage make coralbells fine groundcover plants.

Cosmos

You can depend on this cottage-garden favorite to fill your garden with color all season long. The simple, daisylike flowers appear in cheery shades on tall stems that are great for cutting. The lacy foliage makes a great backdrop for shorter plants, like euphorbia, as well. Cosmos doesn’t like conditions that are too rich and does best with average moisture (but will tolerate drought).