Euphorbia Species, Devil's Backbone, Slipper Spurge, Redbird Cactus
Euphorbia tithymaloides
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae (yoo-for-bee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Euphorbia (yoo-FOR-bee-uh) (Info) |
| Species: | tithymaloides (tith-ee-mal-OY-deez) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Euphorbia carinata |
| Synonym: | Pedilanthus tithymaloides |
| Synonym: | Tithymalus tithymaloides |
View this plant in a gardenCategory:
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Foliage Color:
Height:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing:
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Can be grown as an annual
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Red
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From softwood cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
Seed Collecting:
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Elberta, Alabama
Rowland Heights, California
Alamosa, Colorado
Austin, Colorado
Brooksville, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
Deland, Florida
Green Cove Springs, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jupiter, Florida
Lake Panasoffkee, Florida
Lakeland, Florida
New Port Richey, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Palm Bay, Florida
Rockledge, Florida
Rotonda West, Florida
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Winter Springs, Florida
Yulee, Florida
Albany, Georgia
Broussard, Louisiana
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Andrews, Texas
Huntsville, Texas
Wichita Falls, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Jun 6, 2015, Abe1234 from Chattanooga, TN wrote: This is one fantastic plant. It's limbs are so pliable you can tie them in knots without breaking them. They root easily in a pot of soil. Let cut end dry a day or two before planting. This will keep it from rotting. |
| Positive | On Jun 19, 2012, GrannyGardner from austin, CO (Zone 5a) wrote: Moved out doors in May in Colorado. All the leaves fell of leaving me 3 sticks. Put in a corner and forgot it for about a month. Came back and it was covered with leaves!! ALL 3 STICKS! Plan to bring in in the winter. Love how this cactus looks. |
