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Euphorbia tithymaloides

Previously known as:

  • Euphorbia tithymaloides subsp. smallii
  • Pedilanthus tithymaloides
Phonetic Spelling
yoo-FOR-bee-uh tith-ee-mal-OY-deez
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

A succulent shrub with milky juice; stems green, often zig-zag; leaves alternate, simple, pointed, green or white-edged; flowers red and clustered at the ends of branches; fruit a capsule

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Euphorbia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Nana'
    black and green foliage
  • 'Variegata'
    glossy, oval, green leaves with white edges on a zig zag stems
'Nana', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#poisonous#houseplant#shrub#red flowers#milky sap#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Nana'
    black and green foliage
  • 'Variegata'
    glossy, oval, green leaves with white edges on a zig zag stems
'Nana', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#poisonous#houseplant#shrub#red flowers#milky sap#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euphorbia
    Species:
    tithymaloides
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Florida to Tropical Americas and Mexico
    Distribution:
    Chad, French Guiana, Hawaii, Malawi, Marshall Island, Mozambique, and Wake Island
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Description:
    A two-lipped red bract surrounds a tiny red flower. The flowers cluster at the ends of the branches. Blooming occurs in late spring or early summer. The plant rarely flowers indoors.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are alternate, simple, pointed, and medium green and sometimes with white edging. They are ovate to elliptical and measure up to 3 inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
    Round
    Stem Description:
    Stems are in a zigzag pattern and contain poisonous milky sap.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants
    Attracts:
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Diterpene esters
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Sap/Juice