Consulta Plantas

Care of the succulent plant Euphorbia mammillaris or Indian Corn Cob

The genus Euphorbia, family Euphorbiaceae, includes 2,000 species of succulents, trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants of cosmopolitan distribution. Some species are: Euphorbia mammillaris, Euphorbia tithymaloides, Euphorbia leucocephala, Euphorbia lactea, Euphorbia ingens, 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 lomelii, Euphorbia meloformis, Euphorbia avasmontana, Euphorbia regis-jubae, Euphorbia royleana, Euphorbia trigona, Euphorbia bivonae, Euphorbia rigida, Euphorbia handiensis, Euphorbia balsamifera.

Common names: Indian Corn Cob, Corn Cob Plant, Corncob Euphorbia, Corncob Cactus. This species is native to South Africa.

They are branched cactiform succulent plants with short stem and dark green color that reach 40 cm (1.31 feet) in height. They have 7-17 ribs with tubers in rows that look like an ear of corn. They produce small leaves (they do not last long on the plant) and some thorns. The flowers are small and not very decorative. They can bloom from late winter to early summer.

These easy-to-grow plants are used in pots for patios, terraces and greenhouses and as indoor plants. In frost-free regions they can be grown on rockeries.

Euphorbia mammillaris can grow in direct sun or semi-shade exposure. It resists the heat of the Mediterranean summer but not the cold below 8 ºC (46.4 ºF).

The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate with 30% coarse sand. Transplant in spring every 2-3 years.

Water regularly in spring and summer, always waiting for the substrate to be dry; they have high resistance to drought. In autumn reduce watering and do not water in winter.

Fertilize once a month with mineral cactus fertilizer from mid-spring to mid-summer.

Prune dry branches in spring.

The worst enemy is excess moisture that can quickly rot the plant.

They propagate from cuttings previously dried for 4-5 days in a dry and shady place. Hands must be protected from the irritating latex they produce.

Images of the succulent plant Euphorbia mammillaris or Indian Corn Cob