Care of the succulent plant Euphorbia ingens or Giant euphorbia |
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The genus Euphorbia, family Euphorbiaceae, includes 2,000 species of succulents, trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants of cosmopolitan distribution. Some species are: Euphorbia ingens, Euphorbia meloformis, Euphorbia lomelii, Euphorbia inermis, Euphorbia horrida, Euphorbia heptagona, Euphorbia handiensis, Euphorbia grandicornis, Euphorbia flanaganii, Euphorbia enterophora, Euphorbia enopla, Euphorbia echinus, Euphorbia cotinifolia, Euphorbia coerulescens, Euphorbia characias, Euphorbia candelabrum, Euphorbia canariensis, Euphorbia pulcherrima, Euphorbia resinifera, Euphorbia milii, Euphorbia tithymaloides, Euphorbia regis-jubae, Euphorbia royleana, Euphorbia trigona, Euphorbia bivonae, Euphorbia rigida, Euphorbia handiensis, Euphorbia balsamifera, Euphorbia leucocephala. Common names: Giant euphorbia, Candelabra tree. This species is native to Angola, South Africa and Swaziland. They are cactiform plants of arboreal bearing and rounded crown that branch with age, acquiring the shape of a candelabra (it resembles the Euphorbia candelabrum). They reach 15 meters (49.2 feet) in height. The body has thorns and is green. They produce small flowers that have no decorative interest. They bloom in summer. They are used in pots on patios and terraces or as an indoor plant in bright areas of the house. They are also suitable for rockery, as isolated specimens, and in cactus and succulent gardens. Euphorbia ingens can grow in full sun exposure but prefers filtered light. In winter the temperature should not be less than 5 ºC (41 ºF). They can be grown on rocky, poor and sandy soils; they appreciate a substrate formed by a part of leaf mulch and another of coarse sand. Water in spring and summer moderately (they resist drought well) at the rate of once every 7-10 days. In autumn water less; in winter water once a month at most. Fertilize with a cactus mineral fertilizer once in spring and again in early summer. They do not need pruning. They are plants resistant to pests but sensitive to fungi produced by excess irrigation. They propagate by cuttings of secondary stems previously dried for 4 days so that the cut heals. Be careful with the irritating latex they produce. |
Images of the succulent plant Euphorbia ingens or Giant euphorbia |
 Euphorbia ingens |