Euphorbia gottlebei – Succulent plants

Euphorbia gottlebei is a small shrub-like, succulent, grows up to 5 feet tall, very similar to Euphorbia milii. The primary stems are up to 2 cm thick, densely spiny and branching annually. Thorns are up to 1.5 cm long, stiff, with a wide base. The short twigs that also appear among the thorns on the stem leaves are up to 3 cm long. The leaves are narrow and slender, up to 6 cm long forming a compact canopy, found mainly on new growth, shedding seasonally during the dry season. The inflorescences, bearing 4 to 16 small carmine flowers, are produced below the branch-tips. The flowers are small, subtended by a pair of conspicuous petal-like bracts, usually orange-red.

Scientific classification:

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

Scientific Name: Euphorbia gottlebei

How to grow and maintain Euphorbia gottlebei:

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.