Euphorbia Horida

Add a touch of rugged beauty to your collection with the fascinating Euphorbia horrida! This striking succulent, often called the African Milk Barrel or Horrid Spurge, is known for its cylindrical, ribbed stems densely covered in sharp spines. Its architectural form and resilient nature make it a captivating addition to any Australian succulent garden or indoor display.

Characteristics:

• Distinctive Stems: The most prominent feature is its thick, upright, grey-green to bluish-green stems. These stems are typically ribbed, and along the ridges are closely packed pairs of sharp, dark brown or black spines. The stems can branch from the base, forming clusters over time.
• Small Leaves (Ephemeral): Euphorbia horrida produces small, scale-like leaves that are often short-lived and may fall off quickly, especially during drier periods or dormancy. The spines are the plant's primary defense and visual feature.
• Compact to Moderate Size: In cultivation, Euphorbia horrida typically remains relatively compact, reaching heights of 30-60 cm, although it can grow larger in its native habitat. This makes it suitable for pots and smaller garden spaces.
• Drought Tolerance: True to its succulent nature, Euphorbia horrida is highly drought-tolerant and thrives on infrequent watering, mirroring the arid conditions of its origin.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care, making it a great choice for busy plant enthusiasts in Australia.
• Unique Aesthetic: Its stark, spiny appearance provides a strong architectural element and a touch of the exotic to any plant arrangement.

Care :

• Light: Euphorbia horrida thrives in bright, direct sunlight. In most parts of Australia, it can handle full sun outdoors. For indoor plants, place them in the sunniest location possible, such as a south-facing window. Insufficient light can lead to weak, etiolated growth.
• Soil: Well-draining soil is crucial to prevent root rot. Use a cactus or succulent potting mix readily available in Australian garden centres. Amending the mix with extra perlite or grit can further improve drainage, especially in areas with high rainfall.
• Watering: Water very sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems. During the warmer growing season (spring and summer in Australia), water perhaps every 3-4 weeks, depending on your local climate and pot size. Reduce watering significantly in the cooler, dormant months (winter), watering only if the stems start to show signs of shrivelling.
• Temperature: Euphorbia horrida prefers warm temperatures and is generally well-suited to most Australian climates. However, it is not frost-tolerant. In regions of Australia that experience frost, it should be protected by moving potted plants indoors or providing some form of cover during freezing temperatures (below -4°C).

The succulent plant housed in the red pot comes in a 130mm diameter container. While the image provides a representative depiction of what you will receive, but may vary slightly because no two succulents are the same. Plants are shipped as bare rooted.

Want your succulent with a pot?

We usually ship bare root for freshness and to keep costs low, but we’re happy to pot your plant on request!

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Please note — NT, TAS, WA customers: please contact us before placing your order due to additional quarantine charges associated with these locations.                    View Shipping options