How do you take care of euphorbia Horrida?
They need bright sunlight, great drainage, and infrequent water to prevent rot. Grow in containers with many drainage holes and soil appropriate for succulents and cacti and water deeply between periods of dring out. Easy to grow. The milky sap of euphorbia can irritate the skin so wear gloves to handle.
How to propagate euphorbia horrida?
These succulents can be grown from seed, but they can be difficult to germinate (or even find). They are usually propagated by cuttings. This can be tricky because of the exuding sap. Rooting hormone is recommended with Euphorbias.
How do you identify a euphorbia species?
Identify: The most familiar euphorbia (especially at Christmas!) hails from Mexico, thrives in Australia and flowers mid-winter with a striking tiara of red bracts. Less familiar is the quieter white form. Grow: Will grow to 3m so cut back to the ground after flowering to control size and avoid the ugly summer phase.
How does euphorbia protect itself?
Since Euphorbia is such a diverse genus, many modes of reproduction are seen. Some plants are monoecious, having both male and female flowers on the same plant. This Euphorbia is well-protected by spines and thick skin. The spines stick out in pairs, unlike a cactus.
How poisonous is euphorbia sap?
Categorised as a flowering plant in the spurge family, euphorbia is labelled as “poisonous” and a “skin and eye irritant” by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). In the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, it says: “The milky sap or latex of Euphorbia plant is highly toxic and an irritant to the skin and eye.”
Are all euphorbia toxic?
All varieties of euphorbia produce a whitish latex sap upon being cut. The sap extruded is often toxic. However, the toxicity varies between and within genera. The caustic nature of the sap has been taken advantage of medically, aiding wart removal since the ancient Greek times.
