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Euphorbia ingens

candelabra tree

E. ingens is a fast-growing, succulent tree capable of reaching 15m, but is usually grown as a pot plant. Thebranching, leafless stems have four or five vertical ridges bearing small spines. Mature plants can produce greenish-yellow flowers at the branch tips, followed by dark red to purple fruit

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Ultimate height

Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

Wider than 8 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–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)

Botanical details

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: All parts are highly toxic by ingestion, sap may irritate skin and eyes. 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 & E Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow indoors in equal quantities of loam-based potting compost and grit in full light. Water moderately when in growth and keep dry in winter. In the growing season feed a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

None required but can be cut back to restrict size

Pests

May be attacked by mealybugs, glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May suffer from powdery mildews and root rots

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