Euphorbia fimbriata – Succulent plants

Euphorbia fimbriata is an ornamental perennial succulent shrub that grows up to 30 to 90 centimeters in height. It has leafless, one or more upright, deeply ribbed, sparsely spiny, grey-green stems which may create with ascending or erect branches , but sometimes decumbent and rooting at the base, with seven to twelve angles, glabrous, light green in color, becoming brown with age, non-spiral angles are prominent. The spines are solitary sterile peduncles up to 14 mm long usually maroon-tipped. It produces small, yellowish-green, purple, or deep red flowers that appear near branch tips. The Euphorbia fimbriata blooms in winter.

The milky sap of this 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.

Scientific classification

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species: E. fimbriata
Scientific Name: Euphorbia fimbriata Scop.
Common Name: Fringed spurge
Synonyms: Euphorbia mammillaris, Euphorbia platymammillaris, Euphorbia scopoliana, Vallaris fimbriata

How to grow and care for Euphorbia fimbriata

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 can be easily propagated by 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. Also can be propagated from seeds.

Pests and Diseases

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