Euphorbia corollata aka Flowering Spurge

Taxonomy

Euphorbia corollata, also known as flowering spurge or American Spurge, is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. Native to North America, this plant can grow up to 1 meter tall, with smooth stems and light green leaves arranged alternately or in whorls. The leaves are about 10 mm wide and 75 mm long, while each stem terminates in a panicle measuring 20 to 25 mm across. Its flowers, blooming from June to September, consist of one pistillate and several staminate flowers surrounded by five white bracts formed from the involucre at the base. While it is an upright plant with branched stems, it can also be grown as a super rare houseplant. American Spurge thrives in long-lasting, direct light and prefers soil that is extremely well-draining. It requires minimal watering and should be positioned less than 1 foot away from a window. Repotting is recommended each time the plant doubles in size, eliminating the need for additional fertilizers. Native to Southeast Canada to the Central and Eastern United States, American Spurge is an easy-to-grow plant with a milky sap that may cause skin and eye irritation in some individuals.

Common names

Flowering Spurge, Poison Milkweed, American Spurge

How to care for Flowering Spurge

Difficulty

Flowering Spurge is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

Flowering Spurge does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

The Flowering Spurge is delicate when it comes to soil that is too damp, therefore, it is crucial to select a potting soil that has efficient drainage and doesn't hold an excessive amount of moisture. An ideal soil should consist of a substantial amount of perlite or vermiculite for proper drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. Mixing a few handfuls of perlite with commercially available cactus soil should produce the desired result.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Flowering Spurge prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Flowering Spurge to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Flowering Spurge is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Humidity

Flowering Spurge thrives in dry environments, but if you provide extra humidity or mist your plant, the lingering water on its leaves could create an ideal environment for certain fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

The growth of Flowering Spurge is gradual and it doesn't necessitate any additional fertilizers. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should suffice to provide the plant with sufficient nutrition. It's important to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun's rays, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

The Flowering Spurge is a clumping species, with new growth arising from the soil surrounding the parent plant.

Region of origin

Flowering Spurge’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia