Euphorbia primulifolia – Succulent plant

Euphorbia primulifolia is a decorative, small, caudiciform succulent, up to 15 cm (6 inches) tall with a small rosette of dark green undulating leaves. The caudex can grow up to 8 cm (3.2 inches) in diameter. The flowers are white in color.

Scientific Classification:

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

Scientific Name: Euphorbia primulifolia Baker
Synonyms: Euphorbia primulifolia var. primulifolia, Euphorbia subapoda

 

How to care and grow Euphorbia primulifolia ?

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:

Euphorbia primulifolia grows well in well-draining, gritty soil 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 primulifolia can be easily propagated from seed sown during spring or summer. Germination occurs within 3 weeks. Sowing seed of this self-fertile species is the surest method of growing typical offspring and seedlings are in the first season relatively easy to grow. Thanks to its freely branching habit it can be propagated by rooting cuttings of the branches. It can be grafted as well.

Pests and Diseases:

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

Medicinal use:

The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. The latex is applied to syphilitic sores.

Known Hazards:

The thickened root is used as bait to poison rats, it is also used for criminal purposes. The latex is poisonous and particularly dangerous for the eyes, skin and mucous membranes.