Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Euphorbia milii or Crown of thorns

The genus Euphorbia, family Euphorbiaceae, includes 2,000 species of succulents, trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants of cosmopolitan distribution. Some species are: Euphorbia milii, Euphorbia lambii, Euphorbia piscatoria, Euphorbia regis-jubae, Euphorbia umbellata, Euphorbia pulcherrima, Euphorbia cotinifolia, Euphorbia characias,  Euphorbia dendroides, Euphorbia rigida, Euphorbia leucocephala, Euphorbia anachoreta, Euphorbia tithymaloides.

Common names: Christ plant, Christ thorn, Crown of thorns. This species is native to Madagascar.

They are succulent subshrubs with very thorny stems that reach 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) in height. The leaves are oval and light green in color. They produce tiny yellow flowers surrounded by very showy red bracts. They can bloom throughout the year.

They are used in pots for patios, terraces and balconies, in greenhouses and as indoor plants; they resist heating but not drafts.

Euphorbia milii needs a very sunny exposure (south facing). It does not resist temperatures below 10 ºC (50 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of heather earth with 20% coarse sand.

Water very moderately all year long, waiting for the substrate to dry completely. In winter, water very little.

It's important to know that the plant secretes, if it breaks, a toxic latex. To do a transplant you must protect yourself from thorns and latex with thick gloves.

Fertilize every 15 days (from spring to late summer) with mineral fertilizer for cacti.

They are plants resistant to pests and diseases but sensitive to excess watering, especially in winter.

They propagate by cuttings in spring; dry the cuttings for a whole day before rooting.

Images of the shrub Euphorbia milii or Crown of thorns