What are the characteristics of the crested euphorbia? A complete guide

Morphological characteristics of the crested euphorbia

The crested euphorbia likes plenty of sunlight but also tolerates partial shade, and it will not die of drought even if kept slightly dry, making it suitable for potted display at home. Many people think this is a type of primitive cactus group with leaves, but that is incorrect. This ornamental plant is a crested (or cristate) variant of the succulent Euphorbia neriifolia (Indian spurge tree) in the Euphorbiaceae family. This is easy to tell from the fact that the base of its spines lacks the areoles unique to cacti, and the plant has white sap.

It has emerald green and beautiful leaves, and both stems and leaves are fleshy. Its plant form is elegant, closely resembling the qilin of ancient Chinese legend, hence the name crested euphorbia. The fleshy modified stem is an irregular palmate fan shape, green when young and yellow-brown and woody when old, with fleshy leaves densely growing at the top and edges of the modified stem.

Growth habits of the crested euphorbia

The crested euphorbia likes warmth, requires plenty of sunlight, and is suited to well-drained sandy loam. It is drought-tolerant and not cold-tolerant, but also tolerates partial shade, making it suitable for potted display at home. In warm regions it can be planted in courtyards, while in cold regions it is mostly grown in pots for display.

Precautions for cultivating the crested euphorbia

The white sap in the stem of the crested euphorbia is toxic, especially to the eyes, so when growing it at home, care must be taken to prevent children from accidentally getting the stem sap into their mouths or eyes.

Propagation methods for the crested euphorbia

The crested euphorbia is generally propagated by cuttings, and cuttings can be taken anytime from April to October. For cutting time, a sunny morning is best. Cut a piece of robust modified stem, let it dry in a cool place for 3~4 days, and once the wound has dried and shrunk, insert it about 2~3 cm into clean river sand. Do not water at first; after 2 days, spray water to keep the potting soil moist. Roots can form in about one month, then it can be transplanted into a pot. When cutting a piece of the modified stem, white sap tends to flow out; let it drain completely or rinse the sap away with water, because if the sap dries it easily forms a gummy layer that seals the cut and affects rooting. After cutting, place it in a shaded spot for care. Keep it moist, but the cut must not be waterlogged, as waterlogging will rot the cutting.

Pest and disease control for the crested euphorbia

The crested euphorbia has few pests and diseases, but if kept long-term in a greenhouse or in a poorly ventilated location, it is prone to scale insect damage. In winter and spring, wash the dust off the leaves with clean water spray once every 10 days. In addition, it is very sensitive to coal gas, and after exposure it easily drops its leaves (it can be used for indoor coal gas leak detection).