Euphorbia Species, Candelilla, Wax Plant

Central Phoenix -- I recommend candelilla if you have a particularly hot, harsh spot. I have a candelilla plant growing in a medium-size...Read More pot against a light gray south facing stucco wall underneath a large window. It gets not only full sun, but lots of reflected light and heat. I do have the pot lined with Styrofoam sheets to try to insulate the soil a bit. But, the pot has no watering system and has gone as long as two months in summer without water. Despite these harsh conditions the candelilla grows nicely. My only other plant that survives in this location is made of metal.

My first experience with this unassuming plant was in the higher elevations (4000') overlooking Benson, AZ in Southeastern Arizona. It th...Read Morerived in that climate in full sun in well draining soil.

Now, in my garden in Tucson, AZ with a considerably lower elevation, it seems to do better in a light, dappled shade. It creates a striking clump of blue-grey/green spires, tallest in the middle and tapering to the plant's margins. Looks great beside water features, where it assumes the visual role of the moisture loving horsetails.

I have had this plant for at least four winters and summers now. I can positively say, that this is one of the hardiest euphorbias I have...Read More ever owned.

In 2,200 ft altitude, Zone 9b, my plastic-potted Candelilla (as originally bought from the nursery) survived 3 days of 19-25 degrees Fahrenheit next to a Palo Verde tree. Having grown to a very large plant, and having cast its roots through the bottom of the pot, I was unable to bring it into the house; instead I tossed a towel over it and left it where it was. It sustained some die-back from the freeze, and bounced right back to about double-size this summer. As a side note, during the freeze, the soil in the pot was bone dry.

After consulting with the original grower, I yanked the pot from where it had rooted through and moved it to a different, less protected location with greater exposure to our brutal 110+ Fahrenheit heat, and less shade. The Candelilla took that change in stride, too. The pot is about to burst open, and soon I will have to divide and repot the plant.

Grown in a pot: during the warm months it is outside, moved indoors during the winter months that freeze. Mine has flowered up thru Octo...Read Moreber. Had a killback from frost last year, but has grown twice as much this year as last year. Some of the stems are over 3 foot in length.