Euphorbia horrida
African milk barrel
A cactus-like shrub with erect, ridged stems bearing long spines and solitary green flowers
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
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
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H2Botanical 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
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