How to care for the crested cactus? Master these methods to grow it easily

The crested cactus (Euphorbia neriifolia cristata) is a cactus-like succulent with a shape resembling a cockscomb or a flat fan. It has the effect of purifying the air and is very suitable for potted cultivation, placed in the living room or office. So how do you care for the crested cactus?

1. Light requirements

The crested spurge likes light. After being brought out of the room in early May, first place it under a shade shed for 7 days to 10 days, then place it in a sunny spot for care. Insufficient light easily causes the abnormal stems to grow leggy and become columnar stems. Especially during the growing season, sufficient light must be ensured, and it must not be kept indoors for viewing for a long time. Although it is dormant in winter, the plant still needs to carry out photosynthesis to maintain basic life activities, so it should also be placed in a sunny place; otherwise, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. Summer and autumn are the peak growing seasons for the crested spurge. It likes sunlight but avoids exposure to strong sun; if cultivated outdoors, a bamboo curtain can be used for shading.

2. Water requirements

The crested spurge is relatively drought-tolerant. Usually, watering should follow the principle of preferring dry over wet. When the potting soil is dry, hard and pale, and a clear sound is heard when tapping the pot wall, water thoroughly. In winter, watering should be reduced even more than usual. In an indoor room at 15°C to 18°C, watering thoroughly about once every 10 days is enough. Too much watering not only easily causes reversion, but also causes the root system to suffocate and die.

3. Fertilizer requirements

The crested spurge does not particularly like fertilizer. The principle for feeding is to prefer less over more, and prefer dilute over concentrated. The potting soil can be made by mixing leaf mold, coal cinder, and garden soil in equal parts of 1/3 each. When potting, a small amount of crushed solid fertilizer can be added as a base fertilizer. During the growing season, apply once a month a fully decomposed alum fertilizer water at about 15%. When fertilizing, never use raw fertilizer or concentrated fertilizer, otherwise it easily causes root rot and leaf drop. During winter dormancy, fertilization can be stopped, and when growth begins again in the following spring, gradually restore the normal fertilizing level.

4. Temperature requirements

The crested spurge is not cold-tolerant. Generally, before the first cold wave arrives before Frost's Descent, it should be brought indoors. At first, attention should be paid to indoor ventilation, allowing it to gradually adapt to the indoor microclimate. In winter, even if the weather is warm, it must not be moved outdoors to bask in the sun. If the indoor room temperature in winter can be maintained above 15°C, the leaves can be kept from falling; if the leaves have already fallen, as long as the temperature is above 7°C, it can safely overwinter. By the following May, it can also grow leaves again.