Baseball Plant (Euphorbia obesa) – Succulent plants

Baseball Plant (Euphorbia obesa) is a decorative, thornless succulent plant. It is commonly known as ‘baseball plant’ due to its shape and its diameter is between 6 cm and 15 cm depending on its age. Young Euphorbia obesa is spherical but become cylindrical with age. They contain water reservoirs for periods of drought. It has rudimentary, caducous leaves and usually 8 vertical, broad, slightly raised ribs with shallow furrows in between. The small inflorescence is borne on short peduncle from stem apices. The female and male flower are born on different plants. The fruit is a slightly 3-angled capsule up to 7 mm in diameter. The sap of Euphorbia obesa is poisonous.

Scientific Classification:

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily: Euphorbioideae
Tribe: Euphorbieae
Subtribe: Euphorbiinae
Genus: Euphorbia

Scientific Name: Euphorbia obesa
Common Names: Baseball Plant, Baseball, Basketball Plant, Basketball, Sea Urchin, Living Baseball, Gingham, Golf Ball, Vetmensie, Klipnoors.

How to grow and maintain Baseball Plant (Euphorbia obesa):

Light:
It requires full sunlight all year long. In summer, plants can be moved outdoors to benefit from the increased temperatures and increased exposure to daylight. Growing the plants close to a window is usually sufficient to provide the needed light in cooler temperatures for a winter dormancy period.

Soil:
It grows well in well-draining, gritty soil or cactus potting mix. Add a little gravel to the soil and use an unglazed pot which will promote evaporation of any excess water.

Water:
You can allow the soil to dry out between each watering. Before watering the plant check underneath the pot through the drainage holes to see if the roots are dry. If so then add some water. Do not water too often to prevent overwatering, that can potentially kill it off. In mid-autumn gradually reduce the amount of water given. During the winter rest period water the plants only enough to keep the potting mixture from drying out.

Temperature:
It prefers an optimal temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit – 85 degrees Fahrenheit / 16 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize every two weeks with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer during its growing season in the spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing your plant during the fall and winter months.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated from seed sown during spring or summer. Sow in a sandy to gravel-rich, well-drained potting soil in a sunny warm position and in a standard seed tray. Cover seed with a thin layer of sand 1-2mm and keep moist. Germination occurs within 3 weeks. The seedlings have a slow to medium growth rate and can be planted out into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle.

Pests and Diseases:
It has no serious pest or disease problems.