Euphorbia Species, Smoketree Spurge, Mexican Shrubby Spurge, Red Spurge
Euphorbia cotinifolia
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae (yoo-for-bee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Euphorbia (yoo-FOR-bee-uh) (Info) |
| Species: | cotinifolia (kot-in-ih-FOH-lee-uh) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Aklema cotinifolia |
| Synonym: | Alectoroctonum cotinifolium |
| Synonym: | Euphorbia caracasana |
| Synonym: | Euphorbia cotinoides |
| Synonym: | Tithymalus cotinifolius |
Category:
Shrubs
Trees
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements:
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Foliage Color:
Burgundy/Maroon
Height:
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
Spacing:
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
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:
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Pale Yellow
Bright Yellow
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
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 hardwood cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
Seed Collecting:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Carlsbad, California
Encinitas, California
Hayward, California
Lemon Grove, California
Long Beach, California
Los Angeles, California
Manhattan Beach, California
Pasadena, California
Perris, California
San Diego, California(2 reports)
San Marcos, California
San Marino, California
Spring Valley, California
Thousand Oaks, California
Vista, California
Hollywood, Florida(2 reports)
Lake Worth, Florida
Umatilla, Florida
Kihei, Hawaii
Papaaloa, Hawaii
Chicago, Illinois
Kenner, Louisiana
Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes
Cinisi, Sicily(2 reports)
Austin, Texas
Houston, Texas
Richmond, Texas
Triangle, Virginia
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On May 1, 2014, vossner from East Texas, This plant looks so much like smoke tree, cotynus c. but it is a euphorbia. Mine is planted in full sun in well amended soil and requires supplemental water. It is deciduous in my area. Mine is about 6 ft tall and I have the space to let it grow taller. I love this plant. |
| Positive | On Feb 8, 2013, sdjimbob from San Diego, CA wrote: The Vista and Pasadena comments are accurate. The plants are mostly deciduous in Southern California if the temperature gets under 40, and anything about 36 or less means complete defoliation, and then unattractive bare branches for 2 months at least. |
| Positive | On Sep 19, 2010, rwhite25 from Houston, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: Beautiful plant that loves the Houston summer heat. Does not like a quick change in temperature. I brought a large potted specimen indoors for 1 evening and most of the leaves wilted. Even when returned to the light and heat the older leaves were shed. Mealybug can be a problem but that and mites are easily controlled with systemic sprays. |
| Neutral | On Jul 13, 2008, redinque from Pasadena, CA wrote: Beautiful, beautiful foliage, but requires relatively good soil and moisture. I planted it into the ground in clay dirt around September of last year where it promptly lost all its leaves around November when the temperature dropped to around 40 at night. I live in Los Angeles, CA. The bare branches (at least when it's small) don't look very appealing. It took a long time for the leaves to regrow probably in April or May, and I thought it had died. Slow growing and seems to be a plant better grown in a pot if soil conditions are not that good. I may dig it up and do just that. |
| Positive | On Apr 17, 2008, myrrtle77 from Northampton, MA wrote: we live in massachusetts,a firm zone 4. we have had our tree |
| Positive | On Mar 12, 2007, WebInt from Vista, CA (Zone 10a) wrote: This is a fast growing Euphorbia that is also called the Caribbean Copper Plant. Can be confused with Cotinus coggygria (Smoke Tree 'Royal Purple') for those not familiar, but break a stem and get the milky sap, you will know it is a Euphorbia. The white flowers really look nice against the red foliage. In SoCal it can grow to 10 feet tall but is deciduous in all but the mildest winters. My plant lost a few smaller stems and defoliated 100% during the 28 degree freeze from Jan 2007. However; all large stems have shot out new growth since. So they can handle a 28 degree freeze and recover nicely. |
| Positive | On Sep 30, 2006, lakeshoredrive from Chicago, IL wrote: This euphorbia's grows quickly from cuttings, overwinters nicely in a greenhouse and the maroon-red leaves look fantasic when grown in mixed containers. |
| Positive | On Sep 27, 2005, BayAreaTropics from Hayward, CA wrote: The new growth is a satiny vibrant burgundy. Not evergreen or especially drought tolerant. It actually likes more water than most euphobias and responds with fast growth. And should be given plenty of root room if grown in a pot or it grows sparse. Hardy to at least 30 degrees. No pests-at least outdoors. |
