Euphorbia caducifolia – Succulent plants

Euphorbia caducifolia (also known as leafless Milk Hedge) is a rare ornamental plant with a tall multi-stem plant occurring in the Thar desert as well as hilly tracts. It forming dense thickets up to 3 m tall and 10 m across, and in having smaller readily-falling leaf-blades. It also has the stipule-spines 0.5-1 cm long. It produces a small red-pink flower. It looks beautiful with these flowers in full bloom. The plant is supposed to have medicinal uses too. Recent claims suggest its use in generating bio-fuel and as a cure for leukemia disease. The milky sap of this plant is poisonous and can cause skin irritations. Therefore Euphorbia caducifolia should be handled with caution and kept away from children and pets.

Scientific classification

Family:

Euphorbiaceae

Genus:

Euphorbia

Species:

E. caducifolia

Scientific Name:

Euphorbia caducifolia

Common Names:

Leafless Milk Hedge, Hindi: Thor or Danda-thor, Telugu: Katte jemudu.

How to grow and care Euphorbia caducifolia

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

It 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 caducifolia may be susceptible to mealy bugs, scale insects, occasionally spider