Euphorbia susannae aka Suzanne's Spurge

Euphorbia susannae is a small succulent subshrub. It belongs to the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. It comes from the south-southwestern Cape region of South Africa. Its range includes a few small areas in the Little Karoo. Wild plants grow in small groups, some with few members. They grow in sandy, stony ground, often with scattered white quartz. Some grow in open sites. Others grow beneath small bushes, which give them shelter.

The plants form low, round clumps, though some grow alone. Clumps reach about 0.33 feet (0.10 metres) tall. They can spread to about 0.98 feet (0.30 metres) across. Many wild plants stay almost all below the soil. Only their stem tips show above the ground. Others form cushions above ground, much like plants in pots. Growth is fairly fast for a succulent of this size.

The stems range from green to dull brownish green. Each has 12 to 16 angles. They also have raised bumps called tubercles. Many branches grow from a round central base, or caudex. The stems grow upward, but a pulling action draws them down. LLIFLE suggests the roots may cause this pulling action. Young stems have leaves that take the form of short bristles. The flower structures, called cyathia, are green or brownish. They appear in spring or autumn. Plants also tend to form crested stems.

This plant suits pots and spaces that give it shelter. It also suits dry gardens with limited frost. Avoid fierce heat and full sun. These can turn stems yellow or scorch them. Good airflow and soil that drains well help prevent losses. LLIFLE calls for moderate amounts of water through most of the year. It says to give no water during the coldest winter month. The plant rests in winter and can rot when cold. Healthy mature plants may withstand about −4°C. The source reports survival near −10°C when roots stay dry.

You can grow new plants from seeds or cuttings. Seeds can sprout within three weeks. The plant makes many offsets for use as cuttings. Let cut surfaces heal for about a week before planting. Fresh cuts can rot if you plant them too soon. LLIFLE also says to wash latex from cut surfaces. Its small size and round form suit a sheltered pot display.