Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Variegata' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese poinsettia

Dorling Kindersley 2003

Other common names

devil's backbone, redbird cactus, redbird flower, ribbon cactus, slipper flower, slipper plant

Synonyms

Pedilanthus tithymaloides 'Variegatus'

Cactus Succulent Houseplants

An upright, bushy, succulent shrub with fleshy green stems and narrowly elliptic, pale green leaves to 15cm in length, edged with white or pale pink

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Botanical Details

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Humans/Pets: IRRITANT to skin/eyeharmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Euphorbia can be annuals, perennials, shrubs or succulents, with milky sap and small flowers held within cupped, often colourful bracts
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added organic matter and sharp sand, in full light. Water moderately in spring and summer and apply a balanced liquid fertilzer monthly. Keep barely moist in autumn and winter. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further details

Propagation

Propagate by seed or stem tip cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease- free