Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Cactus SucculentConservatory Greenhouse

Euphorbia horrida
  • RHS AGM

African milk barrel

A cactus-like shrub with erect, ridged stems bearing long spines and solitary green flowers

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Green
Summer Blue Green Green
Autumn Blue Green
Winter Blue Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

North–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
IRRITANT to skin/eye, harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Euphorbia can be annuals, perennials, shrubs or succulents, with milky sap and small flowers held within cupped, often colourful bracts

Name status

Correct

Plant range
S Africa (Cape)

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a loam-based potting compost with sharp sand in full light with good ventilation. Water sparingly when in growth keep dry in winter. In the growing season feed a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times. See Euphorbia for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 15 - 18°C in early spring or stem in spring or early summer. Separate offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.