Euphorbia tulearensis – Succulent plants

Euphorbia tulearensis is an attractive, small, succulent plant grows up to 20 cm (8 inches) tall, that develops a wooden tuberous caudex with a crown of short to elongate fat branches. The leaves are evergreen or semi-deciduous, tufted in rosettes at the tips of the stems, deep-red and green, narrow, very succulent, crinkled, highly undulate, folded and crisp with raised veins and very attractive. The leaves in summer and under stress assume a nice coppery-bronze coloring. The flowers are like small bells, greenish-yellow in short-stemmed groups with beige, soft tan or pinkish, petal-like cyathophylls.

Scientific Classification:

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

Scientific Name: Euphorbia tulearensis
Synonyms: Euphorbia cap-saintemariensis var. tulearensis (basionym)

How to grow and maintain Euphorbia tulearensis:

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 mealy bugs, scale insects, occasionally spider mites.