Hardy, resilient beauty of euphorbia plants

WE have many varieties of flowering euphorbia that produce bright red, yellow and pink blooms.

Euphorbia is a very large and diverse genus of flowering plants, commonly called spurge, in the family Euphorbiaceae. It was first recorded by Carl Linnaeus in 1754, with the name honouring the Greek physician ‘Euphorbus’.

The name of the most popular species, the African Milk tree (Euphorbia trigona), refers to the latex-like sap that gets secreted when an open wound occurs on the stems. It is widely distributed across the hot tropical regions in Africa.

There are over 2,000 species of euphorbia around the world, but they are native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa and Arabia, the Madagascar, and across the Mediterranean Basin.

They are as varied as the environments that they thrive in, ranging from annuals, perennials, evergreen and deciduous shrubs, to trees and succulents.

The genus also includes ornamental plants like the Poinsettia, known for its striking red bracts, also known as ‘fire sticks’.

The euphorbia plants have secured a place in gardens and landscaping as they are drought-tolerant and have minimal soil requirements.

The euphorbia plant has many benefits. The Euphorbia characias L. is known to be used to treat inflammation, heal wounds, and repel pests.

It is also believed that some species can be incorporated into treating tumours.

However, the milky sap of some varieties, like the Euphorbia tirucalli, can be extremely irritating to the skin and eyes.

Some can be invasive, like the Euphorbia cyparissias that can invade open areas like fields and pastures, as well as the roadsides and yards. Moreover, it is toxic to livestock.

For successful cultivation, plant them in well-draining soil to prevent root rot.

In seed-planting, sow them in a well-drained potting mix and cover them lightly with soil.

Cuttings can be taken from a mature stem; just let them dry of the milky sap before planting.

Some plants require part-shade, and some, the full sun.

Euphorbias, generally, require less water than other plants. Allow the soil to dry out between watering.

‘Feed’ them with a diluted solution of balanced fertiliser during growing season, every four to six weeks.

Maintenance-wise, prune damaged or excessive growth, and also spent flowers, so as to maintain the desired plant’s shape. Caution: wear gloves to avoid contact with the sap.

As hardy as euphorbias are, they can also be affected by pests such as aphids, mealybugs and spider mites. Regularly inspect the plants for any signs of infestation, and if necessary, treat them with an appropriate insecticide or insecticidal soap.

Diseases affecting them range from fungal to bacterial, most likely to be triggered by overwatering or heavy rainfall. If this occurs, it is best to move the plants to a warmer area where the soil is able to dry out more quickly.

Happy Gardening!