Indoor plant of the genus Euphorbia

• Description Of The Genus Euphorbia.
• How To Care For Euphorbia At Home.
• How To Propagate Indoor Euphorbia.
• Indoor Euphorbia Diseases And Pests.
• Popular Types Of Indoor Euphorbia.

The genus Euphorbia is quite large and includes a wide variety of plants, both ordinary herbaceous and flowering species, and succulents. We will pay most attention to the succulent varieties of Euphorbia. In this article, we will provide you with information about growing Euphorbia at home, breeding issues, and briefly describe common types of these succulents.

Description of the genus Euphorbia.

Euphorbia is a very large and diverse genus of flowering, herbaceous, woody and succulent plants belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. The composition of this genus includes various crops - from tiny annual plants to large and long-lived trees. The genus Euphorbia has about 2000 species, distributed on all continents, which makes it one of the largest genera among the representatives of the flora.

The scientific name Euphorbia was given to the genus in honor of the Greek physician Euphorbus, who served under King Yuba II of Numidia, who ruled from 50 BC. to 24 AD

In the genus Euphorbia, succulence in different species often developed differently and depending on their natural range. Disputes often arise - whether one or another species is really succulent or only "xerophytic" (Xerophytes are a plant species that have adapted to survive in an environment with a small amount of moisture). About 850 species are succulents in the strict sense of the term. If we add semi-succulent and xerophytic species here, this figure rises to about 1000, which is about 50% of all Euphorbia species.

They are not inferior in beauty to other flowering plants, although their appearance may not be as graceful, but their beauty lies in their unique shapes and outlines.

Euphorbia succulent species range in size from small, 5 cm tall to 9 m tall or more. The Euphorbia species grown as houseplants are mostly succulents with interesting shapes and foliage, but some are known for their flowers.

Euphorbia succulents are often compared to cacti. But, despite the external similarity, there is a difference between them.

What is the difference between Euphorbia and cacti?

• Milky sap. Euphorbia has latex or milky white juice (the first sign of all Euphorbia, which gave the name to the genus). In some species, the sap is poisonous, bitter or burning. In other varieties, low-grade rubber can be made from white juice. In cacti, milky juice is not found, with the exception of some species of Mammillaria;

• Thorns. In Milkweed, thorns grow from the stem. Cacti produce spines from areoles (growth centers) and less frequently along stems;

• The look of flowers. Euphorbia flowers are inconspicuous, unisexual and are collected in inflorescences - cyathias. In cacti, flowers are simple; sometimes they have simply fantastic shapes and colors.

Many species of Euphorbia have been used in folk medicine for many centuries. Euphorbia is often used as hedges in many parts of Africa.

Among indoor Euphorbia, it is the succulent species that are the most popular among flower lovers.

How to care for Euphorbia at home.

Europhobia indoor plants are not picky in care and do not create unnecessary problems for the grower. We will tell you what conditions you need to provide for these amazing succulents.

Lighting

Houseplant Euphorbia prefers full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight) on most days, although some species can tolerate partial shade.

In hot climates, midday shade can be beneficial for most species. If you keep the plant indoors, it is best to place it near a window facing south or east.

The majority of Euphorbia species can get burns.

Soil

Succulent spurges are not very picky about soil and can grow well even in dry, poor soil. The main thing to pay attention to is that the soil mixture must be drained. You can use purchased potting soil for cacti and succulents.

You can also make your own potting mix by adding fine stone chips and coarse sand to any regular fertile soil.

Pot Requirements

When it comes to potting, you should use a pot that allows excess moisture to evaporate, such as clay or ceramic pot. Also, don't forget about the drainage holes at the bottom of the container. Indoor Euphorbia often prefers a pot that is 5-7 cm bigger in diameter than the size of its root system. Keep this in mind when transplanting to a new container.

Temperature

Euphorbia's temperature requirements can vary from one species to another. For example, species from West and Central Africa and tropical and subtropical Americas require temperatures between 13°C and 15°C in winter.

Varieties growing in East Africa and Madagascar require temperatures between 10°C and 13°C in winter. There are also species from North and South Africa that require room temperatures below 10°C.

Summarizing everything previously described, it is safe to say that, as a rule, succulent Euphorbia will suffer at temperatures below 10 ° C.

It is recommended to take the indoor Euphorbia outside (to the garden or balcony) from spring to late autumn.

Watering

The main rule when watering succulents is not to overwater the plants. Succulent Euphorbias like the soil to dry well before re-watering. Indoor Euphorbia can survive even a short drought.

However, this does not mean that they should be kept in dry substrate. Euphorbia grown in pots needs more frequent watering in hot weather. Sometimes you will need to water two or three times a week during the hottest period. In spring and autumn – water it once a week.

In winter, Euphorbia needs to be watered less often. Give them enough water to keep them at a minimum and prevent them from wilting.

Fertilizer

Each type of Euphorbia has its own nutritional needs. But they will benefit from a well-balanced fertilizer. Houseplants need regular feeding during the growing season, that is, in spring and summer. Simply apply a water-soluble fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus (diluted with half as much water) once a week until the plant enters dormancy.

Pruning

Over time, some types of indoor Euphorbia plants can grow strongly and become too thick and heavy. Many of them are quite high. Therefore, sooner or later you will face the question of pruning to control the size of succulents. Remove unnecessary shoots, shorten the side stems, controlling the growth and size of the succulent. Euphorbia pruning can be carried out throughout the growing season. Cut stems can be used to propagate new plants.

Remember to always wear gloves, goggles and protective clothing when pruning Euphorbia. Its pungent, milky white juice can cause skin irritation, and eye contact can cause vision problems. In case of contact with sap, rinse immediately with water.

Transplanting Euphorbia

As these succulents can grow quite a lot, they will eventually outgrow their pots. Thus, transplanting them into large pots will become a must in caring for Euphorbia. Transplantation is desirable to be carried out every two to three years. The ideal time to transplant succulents is early spring when the growing season has begun. Once you've transplanted your plants into large pots with the new potting mix, wait one to two weeks before watering them.

Wear gloves and be very careful when working with euphorbia cultures, as they release their juice very easily at the slightest damage.

How to propagate indoor Euphorbia.

Most types of Euphorbia plants are propagated in two ways - by seeds and stem cuttings (some still by layering or grafting). Let's describe both methods in more detail.

Growing Euphorbia from seeds

The fruits of Euphorbia are three-chamber boxes, sometimes two-chamber. These fruits develop a woody outer shell when ripe, which splits open to release the seeds. After collecting the seed material, it is sown in a well-drained soil or mixture for growing seeds. The best time to sow milkweed seeds is spring. Keep the soil in the container moist until the seeds germinate, which usually takes one or two weeks. Maintain soil temperature between 21°C and 27°C.

Euphorbia cuttings

• After pruning, you are left with removed stems that can be used to propagate succulents or you can get a cutting by cutting off the top of the stem of indoor Euphorbia with a garden pruner or knife;

• Do not forget to wear gloves when working with cuttings to protect yourself from the prickly thorns of the flower and its milky sap, which can cause skin irritation;

• Try to cut the stem at its base or at the point of branching. If you have a solitary plant, you can cut off the top of it. This will also encourage it to produce side shoots;

• The best time for cuttings is summer or spring;

• Rinse and clean the cutting from the juice by dipping it in a glass of water until the juice ceases to stand out;

• Then leave it for a few days in a dry place;

• Once the cut has hardened, plant the cutting in a pot of well-drained potting soil. You can also dip the cut surface before planting in rooting hormone;

• For stem cuttings, rooting can take one to two weeks, sometimes a little longer. Increasing the soil temperature to 25°C can speed up the process.

Indoor Euphorbia Diseases and Pests.

Let's briefly describe the most common problems that you may encounter when growing Euphorbia succulent species, including pests, leaf yellowing and mold.

The most common pests you will have to deal with when growing a houseplant called Euphorbia are mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, and whiteflies. These harmful insects are sometimes quite difficult to get rid of and control because they are tiny and can hide easily. Thus, by the time you find them, you will have a full blown infection. To get rid of pests, you can apply an organic insecticide.

A fungal or mold infection can also be a problem. It usually shows up as a gray or white powdery film on specific areas of Euphorbia. This can be caused by poor ventilation, high humidity, nutrient deficiencies, and insufficient sunlight. When identifying a problem, isolate your succulent and keep it away from other plants. Then apply a fungicide to get rid of the mold infection.

Another common problem among Euphorbia owners is that the stems of the plant fall or lean. This is due to overmoistening. In this case, support the plant with any support to gain stability while you adjust the frequency of watering and let the soil dry out.

Yellow leaves are also a cause for concern. This is another sign of overwatering. Therefore, here you will also have to adjust the frequency of watering so that the soil dries well.

Popular types of indoor Euphorbia.

Among the huge variety of succulent plant varieties, we have collected brief information about the most popular Euphorbia and will share with you.

Euphorbia white-veined (Euphorbia leuconeura)

It is a succulent plant, its appearance resembles a small tree, reaching 1.8 m in height. In young plants, the stem is tubular, green or reddish, but soon thickens and then forms 4–5 distinct angles with brown hairy margins.

The stem grows straight up at first, branching only after a few years or when pruned. After about a year, the plant begins to produce profuse clusters of tiny, petalless white flowers in the axils of the upper leaves.

Euphorbia obesa

Another unique species that is visually reminiscent of a cactus. This is a low succulent, reaching up to 20 cm in height. The spherical shape and lines running along the stem give the impression that the plant has been sewn together.

You can see 8 crests on it almost always; they are decorated with small bulges. This species has no spines. The flowers are grouped in cyathias on branched peduncles at the ends of the stems. They are cup-shaped, finely hairy and have a delicate aroma.

Euphorbia milii

This is a deciduous perennial shrub with bright green leaves and greenish flowers. The flowers are collected in bright red or yellow bracts. It has irregular stems, with thick black spines.

In its homeland (Madagascar), the plant grows up to 1.8 meters in height. Cyclic leaf fall is normal, but occurs erratically and precedes the dormant period of the plant (usually in winter).

Euphorbia comb (Euphorbia lophogona)

An evergreen or semi-deciduous succulent of medium size, up to 1.2 m high, grows in Madagascar. It can be found in tropical and subtropical riparian forests, where it prefers sandy areas. The plant has unusual shape of the trunk, which has five faces with peculiar ribs, topped with a bunch of bright green long oval leaves.

At first glance, this Euphorbia looks like a palm tree with an angular trunk. Each ridge has several spines. The leaves are fleshy, glossy, decorated with white veins. They are located at the top of the stem. Flowers are combined in yellow-green inflorescences surrounded by white or pink bracts.

Euphorbia beautiful or Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

This is one of the most popular and beautiful plants. They are the representative of the Mexican flora. The plant is a shrub or small tree, usually reaching a height of 0.6–4 meters. The colored bracts (usually bright red) are often mistaken for flower petals due to their grouping and color, but are actually leaves.

The flowers of Euphorbia beautiful are unassuming and clustered in cyathias. Due to its popularity, more than 100 varieties with different shades of bracts and flowers themselves have been bred. Poinsettias were grown by the Aztecs for use in traditional medicine.

Euphorbia triangular (Euphorbia trigona)

In the west and at home, it is called the African milk tree. This thorny succulent is native to West Africa, where it naturally grows in dense, thorny thickets.

At home, it reaches 60-120 cm in height. It has triangular stems with three distinct sides connected by ridges. The ridges are studded with thorns and teardrop-shaped leaves. This Euphorbia stays lush and green throughout the growing season, with new shoots a light green hue.