Euphorbia Species, Smoketree Spurge, Mexican Shrubby Spurge, Red Spurge

Euphorbiacotinifolia

Family
Euphorbiaceae (yoo-for-bee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Euphorbia (yoo-FOR-bee-uh)
Species
cotinifolia (kot-in-ih-FOH-lee-uh)
Synonym
Aklema cotinifolia
Alectoroctonum cotinifolium
Euphorbia caracasana
Euphorbia cotinoides
Tithymalus cotinifolius
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Height
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
Spacing
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
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
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Pale Yellow
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Trees
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements
Foliage Color
Burgundy/Maroon
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 hardwood cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
Seed Collecting
Regional

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

Carlsbad, California

Encinitas, California

Hayward, California

Lemon Grove, California

Long Beach, California

Los Angeles, California

Manhattan Beach, California

Pasadena, California

Perris, California

San Diego, California(2 reports)

San Marcos, California

San Marino, California

Spring Valley, California

Thousand Oaks, California

Vista, California

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hollywood, Florida

Lake Worth, Florida

Umatilla, Florida

Kihei, Hawaii

Papaaloa, Hawaii

Chicago, Illinois

Kenner, Louisiana

Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes

Cinisi, Sicily(2 reports)

Austin, Texas

Houston, Texas

Richmond, Texas

Triangle, Virginia

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

7
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
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V
(Zone 8a) | May 2014 | positive

This plant looks so much like smoke tree, cotynus c. but it is a euphorbia. Mine is planted in full sun in well amended soil and require...Read More

S
San Diego, CA | February 2013 | positive

The Vista and Pasadena comments are accurate. The plants are mostly deciduous in Southern California if the temperature gets under 40, an...Read More

R
Houston, TX (Zone 9a) | September 2010 | positive

Beautiful plant that loves the Houston summer heat. Does not like a quick change in temperature. I brought a large potted specimen indo...Read More

R
Pasadena, CA | July 2008 | neutral

Beautiful, beautiful foliage, but requires relatively good soil and moisture. I planted it into the ground in clay dirt around September...Read More

M
Northampton, MA | April 2008 | positive

we live in massachusetts,a firm zone 4. we have had our tree
for seven years now. it has reached a height of almost 12', before a...Read More

W
W
Vista, CA (Zone 10a) | March 2007 | positive

This is a fast growing Euphorbia that is also called the Caribbean Copper Plant. Can be confused with Cotinus coggygria (Smoke Tree 'Roya...Read More

L
Chicago, IL | September 2006 | positive

This euphorbia's grows quickly from cuttings, overwinters nicely in a greenhouse and the maroon-red leaves look fantasic when grown in mi...Read More

B
Hayward, CA | September 2005 | positive

The new growth is a satiny vibrant burgundy. Not evergreen or especially drought tolerant. It actually likes more water than most euphobi...Read More

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