Euphorbia pulvinata (Pincushion Euphorbia) – Succulent plants

Euphorbia pulvinata (Pincushion Euphorbia) is an attractive, clumping, globular succulent with short, globose to the columnar stem, up to 30 cm tall for the most common form, and the other form is with few stems and up to 1 m tall. Stems are 7 or 8 (occasionally up to 10) angled with numerous branches from the base. The leaves are linear-lanceolate, up to 3 cm long and the spines are white to purple (depending on the season) and up to 2 cm long. Flowers are dark red-purple, in the male plant up to 5 cm in diameter and in the female plant up to 3 cm in diameter, followed by 3-angled capsule, up to 5 cm in diameter.

Scientific Classification:

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

Scientific Name: Euphorbia pulvinata Marloth
Common Names: Pincushion Euphorbia

How to grow and maintain Euphorbia pulvinata (Pincushion Euphorbia):

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 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:
It 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 seed, but they can be difficult to germinate.

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