PlantFiles: Candelabra Plant, False Cactus, Dragon Bones, Elkhorn
Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata'

I received this euphorbia years ago and it sits on my patio and gets some afternoon sun. On the nights it goes below freezing in South Central Texas (New Braunfels), I throw a large blanket over it (the plant now stands about 4 - 4 1/2 ft. tall) and it keeps on keeping on. I don't cut it to produce the 'crowns'...I don't like the look of the scarred foliage. It will crown on its own, just not as often. I love the natural look of the longer stems intermixed with the occasional crowning. Very natural and beautiful. My euphorbia is hardier than the books would have you believe. It doesn't like alot of water....that part is true. An interesting, intriguing, easy-to-care-for plant!

All of these Euphorbias in the photographs appear to be grafted, that is, they are NOT grown naturally.

There exist also the species, not cristated, who, on the island of Tenerife (in my garden) reach without problem a hight of 5/6 meter. We are cutting every year a lot of branches (like we do in Europe with hedges) we make it in triangular forms (next visit in april/may) I will make photos to let you see.

Interested in joining me on Tenerife for field reserche?
send an email.

Albert