PlantFiles: Crown of Thorns, Christ Plant, Siamese Lucky Plant
Euphorbia milii 'Brushfire'

This plant grows well indoors in a sunny location. Very easy to care for even when neglected. My in-laws have given everyone they know cuttings. Everyone says that this is one plant that even those with "black" thumbs can grow. We do live in Colorado so I haven't yet tried to grow outdoors year round but do believe it might be able to handle mild winters outside.

We have grown "Crown of Thorns" almost continuously in pots in our Orlando garden; we prune heavily every 3-4 years as the plant gets too high/wide for the pots. When we moved to new pots, after about 10 years, found that the soil/earth had almost disappeared and the roots were all that remained. We also fertilized 3-4 times a year. We have an automatic sprinkling system for the yard/garden, which seemed to supply sufficient water.

The pots originally were set around a fountain on concrete circles in full sun when we first moved to Orlando; with passage of time, trees growing, etc. plants still grew and flowered in partial shade.

However, in the last few years (plants now approx. 18 yrs. old) the shade became too much and the flowers started to disappear. When moved to a more sunny/partial sun spot, the plant went back to full bloom.

My husband just cuts back and plunges the cuttings into potting soil and forgets them. We have given many friends these pottings for their gardens.

We did try a couple directly in ground - there the plants acted more vine-like and leggy, and grew apace - and consequently the blooms, which are very small, lost their show.

blooms all year, although not quite so fulsome during winter months, but still gives an Orlando winter garden wonderful color.

only recently found the sap is poisonous - but with heavy gloves (thorns!) the plant has been handled for pruning and change of pots. Wear old clothes, sap does NOT wash out!