Euphorbia bracteata – Succulent plants

Euphorbia bracteata is a small evergreen or deciduous succulent shrub growing about 2.5 meters tall and branching from the base. The stems are upright, succulent, wax-coated, narrow, cylindrical, green, scabrous, or sparsely hairy and leafless before flowering. The leaves are thick, ovate. It produces abundant flowers (cyathia) with somewhat shoe-shaped reddish-colored bracts that give this plant the common name Slipper Plant. It blooms in late spring and summer. The fruit capsule are subquadrate, shallowly 3-lobed. The milky sap of Euphorbia bracteata plant is poisonous and can cause skin irritations and even temporary blindness, and death may result if any of its parts are eaten. Therefore Euphorbia should be handled with caution and keep it away from children and pets.

Euphorbia bracteata is reputed to have purgative, emetic, emmenagogue, and antisyphilitic properties. Also, The plant is the source of candelilla wax, which is used in the same way as carnauba wax. Carnauba was is very hard and has a high melting point. It is used to make various high-quality polishes and varnishes, phonographic records, candles, etc.

Scientific classification

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species: E. bracteata
Scientific Name: Euphorbia bracteata Jacq.
Common Names: Little Bird Flower, Tall Slipper Flower, Slipper Plant, Candelilla, Slipper spurge.
Synonyms: Pedilanthus bracteatus, Tithymaloides bracteata, Tithymalus bracteatus, Ventenatia bracteata.

How to grow and care Euphorbia bracteata

Light

It prefers full to partial sunlight. Provides good sunlight at least 3-5 hours of the day, and turn it regularly so that your plant doesn’t begin to grow lopsided.

Soil

It grows well in well-draining, gritty soils, or cactus potting mix. They are not particular about soil pH, but they cannot tolerate wet soil.

Water

Water regularly during the growing season. You can allow the soil to dry out between each watering. No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots. Keep almost completely dry in winter. Do not water too often to prevent overwatering, which can potentially kill it off.

Temperature

It prefers an optimal temperature 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

Euphorbia bracteata can be easily propagated by seed and cuttings. Take cutting in spring, which needs to be dried out for a couple of weeks in shade before potting. This can be tricky, because of the exuding sap. Rooting hormone is recommended with Euphorbias.

Pests and Diseases

Euphorbia bracteata may be susceptible to mealy bugs, scale insects, occasionally spider mites.