Euphorbia guentheri (Sausage Spurge)

Euphorbia guentheri (Sausage Spurge) is a stout perennial succulent herb with long, cylindrical stems, with prominent spine-tipped tubercles and fleshy sickle-shaped deciduous leaves. The stems are unbranched, up to 3 feet (90 cm) long and up to 2 cm in diameter. The leaves are fleshy, up to 8 cm long and up to 1.8 cm wide. The blossoms are little with a red, rim-like gland and enclosed in 2 fused, greenish-white bracts with lovely, purple mottling.

Scientific classification:

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

Scientific Name: Euphorbia guentheri
Synonyms: Monadenium guentheri (basionym)
Common Names: Sausage Spurge

How to care and grow Euphorbia guentheri (Sausage Spurge)?

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 over watering, 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 guentheri 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 guentheri (Sausage Spurge) may be susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects, occasionally spider mites.