Euphorbia cotinifolia (caribbean copper plant)

Euphorbia cotinifolia (caribbean copper plant) is an ornamental tropical red shrub. It reaches 10 to 15 ft but can be grown as a tree reaching 30 ft. It has upright gray purplish stems hold on long petioles the thin, slightly fleshy and ovate shaped leaves that are up to 4 inches long, up to 3 inches wide and have a beautiful coppery reddish purple color. It produces small white flowers with creamy bracts bloom at the ends of the branches in summer. The purplish stems, when broken, exude a sap that is a skin irritant.

Note:

• Euphorbia cotinifolia plant sap can cause irritation if it comes into contact with human skin or eyes. If ingested, the sap can cause severe damage to internal organs.
• Its poisonous sap has been used both as a medicine and a poison. As a medicine, it has been used in folk remedies as for both an emetic and cathartic substance. Fishermen have been known to add the sap to water in fishing grounds to stun fish and force them to float to the top. It was also historically used as a poison for arrowheads.

Scientific classification:

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

Scientific Name: Euphorbia cotinifolia.
Synonyms: Aklema cotinifolia, Alectoroctonum cotinifolium, Euphorbia scotana, Tithymalus cotinifolius.
Common Names: Caribbean Copper Plant, Caribbean Copper Bush, Smoketree Spurge, Tropical Smoke Bush, Mexican Shrubby Spurge, Red Spurge.

How to care and grow Euphorbia cotinifolia (caribbean copper plant)?

Light:

Caribbean copper plant 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:

Caribbean copper plant grows best in well-drained soil, a mix of 3 parts soil-based potting mix and 1 part grit. They are not particular about soil pH, but make sure the soil is moist at all times during the spring and summer months.

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.

Temperature:

Euphorbia cotinifolia 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:

Euphorbia cotinifolia can be easily propagated by cuttings. Take cutting in spring, which needs to be dried out for a couple of weeks before potting. Also can be propagated from seed, but they can be difficult to germinate.

Pests and Diseases:

Euphorbia cotinifolia may be susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects, occasionally spider mites.