Care of the succulent plant Euphorbia enopla or Pincushion 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 enopla, Euphorbia meloformis, Euphorbia lomelii, 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: Pincushion Euphorbia, Pincushion spurge. This species is native to South Africa. They are columnar succulent plants with branched stems that reach 90 cm (2.95 feet) in height. The leaves are very small and last very little on the plant. The showy red spines contrast with the intense green of the stems. They produce the typical small yellow flowers of Euphorbias. They bloom in the summer. They are used in pots and planters, in rockeries and in cactus and succulent gardens. Euphorbia enopla can grow in full sun or semi-shade exposure. It needs a warm climate with winter temperatures above 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can serve as a commercial cactus substrate or a garden substrate with 40% coarse sand. The transplant is done in spring. Water moderately waiting for the substrate to be completely dry. In winter water once a month at most. Fertilize with mineral fertilizer once in spring and again in summer. They do not need pruning. They are plants resistant to pests and diseases but sensitive to excess humidity. They propagate by seeds sown in spring in a seedbed with slightly humid sandy substrate or from cuttings in summer; beware of the irritating latex from these plants. |
Images of the succulent plant Euphorbia enopla or Pincushion Euphorbia |
 Euphorbia enopla  Euphorbia enopla |