Madagascar Bonsai – Succulent plants

Madagascar Bonsai is the most popular compact Euphorbia with a great spherical caudex. The stems are textured with leaf scars and minute stipular prickles and are tipped in clusters of small succulent leaves which are grooved on their upper surfaces. The leaf’s color can vary from dark green to purplish brown depending upon light intensity. The blossoms (cyathium) are quite small and are enveloped by nodding grey to yellowish-pink cyathophylls, which partially enclose the cyathium.

Scientific classification

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species: E. cylindrifolia
Scientific Name: Euphorbia cylindrifolia subs. tuberifera
Common Name: Madagascar Bonsai

How to grow and care for Madagascar Bonsai

Light

It prefers full to partial sunlight. Provide good sunlight at least 3-5 hours of the day, and turn it in 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

Water regularly during the growing season. You can allow the soil to dry out between each watering. No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots. Keep almost completely dry in winter. Do not water too often to prevent overwatering, which can potentially kill it off.

Temperature

It prefers an optimal temperature 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

Madagascar Bonsai can be easily propagated by grafting seeds and 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.

Pests and Diseases

Euphorbia may be susceptible to mealy bugs, scale insects, occasionally spider mites.