Euphorbia columnaris – Succulent plants

Euphorbia columnaris is an slow-growing columnar species with distinctive spines that resemble cactus. It forms a single trunk with upright growth, which grows up to 1 m in height and only branches after being injured. It becomes 5-8 cm thick and has thirteen to seventeen edges, on which teeth are arranged at a distance of 5-15 mm. The spines are two cow-horn-shaped, greyish to chalky-white that line the ribs. The flowers are in clusters of up to 30 small fine yellow cyathia. The milky sap of Euphorbia columnaris plant is poisonous and can cause skin irritations. Therefore Euphorbia columnaris should be handled with caution and kept away from children and pets.

Scientific classification

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species: E. columnaris
Scientific Name: Euphorbia columnaris

How to grow and care for Euphorbia columnaris

Light

It prefers full to partial sunlight. Provide good sunlight at least 3-5 hours of the day, and turn it in 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 columnaris can be easily propagated by grafting or cuttings. Difficult to grow on its own roots it is almost always grafted on either Euphorbia fruticosa or E. canariensis. But it is that as it may be de-grafted and rooted. 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 may be susceptible to mealy bugs, scale insects, occasionally spider mites.