Euphorbia decidua – Succulent plants

Euphorbia decidua is an attractive, dwarf, spiny perennial succulent plant. It has a large ‘turnip-like’ woody tuberous root. The stem is usually above ground in cultivation, much reduced, merging imperceptibly with the root and forming a spherical to conical woody caudex up to 4 inches in diameter and up to 8 inches tall. The small central apex on the enlarged Woodstock produces in spring numerous thin deciduous branchlets to form a small clump up to 12 inches in diameter. The branchlets are erect, green, up 8 inches long, 3-5 angled and up to 0.25 inch in diameter. The spines are widely divergent, with expanded bases. The leaves are ovate, sessile, deciduous and up to 1 inch long. But at maturity, the plant produces only a small showing of deciduous green spiny stems. The flowers are pale green with a red center.

Scientific classification:

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

Scientific Name: Euphorbia decidua

How to grow and maintain Euphorbia decidua:

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