Euphorbia Species, Devil's Backbone, Slipper Spurge, Redbird Cactus

Euphorbiatithymaloides

Family
Euphorbiaceae (yoo-for-bee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Euphorbia (yoo-FOR-bee-uh)
Species
tithymaloides (tith-ee-mal-OY-deez)
Synonym
Euphorbia carinata
Pedilanthus tithymaloides
Tithymalus tithymaloides
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Red
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From softwood cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Elberta, Alabama

Rowland Heights, California

Alamosa, Colorado

Austin, Colorado

Brooksville, Florida

Clearwater, Florida

Daytona Beach, Florida

Deland, Florida

Green Cove Springs, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Jupiter, Florida

Lake Panasoffkee, Florida

Lakeland, Florida

New Port Richey, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Palm Bay, Florida

Rockledge, Florida

Rotonda West, Florida

Saint Petersburg, Florida

Winter Springs, Florida

Yulee, Florida

Albany, Georgia

Broussard, Louisiana

Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Andrews, Texas

Huntsville, Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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A
Chattanooga, TN | June 2015 | positive

This is one fantastic plant. It's limbs are so pliable you can tie them in knots without breaking them. They root easily in a pot of soil...Read More

G
austin, CO (Zone 5a) | June 2012 | positive

Moved out doors in May in Colorado. All the leaves fell of leaving me 3 sticks. Put in a corner and forgot it for about a month. Came ba...Read More

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