Euphorbia milii var. splendens

RHS Plant Profile

Christ's thorn

RHS

Synonyms

Euphorbia splendens

Houseplants Shrubs Conservatory Greenhouse

A semi-prostrate to scrambling, slow growing, mainly evergreen, semi-succulent shrub. The stems are armed with well-spaced thorns and the small yellow flowers with their showy red bracts appear mostly in spring and summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or 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): H1B
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
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: Correct
Plant Range: Madagascar

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a mix of three parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost to one part grit in full light. Water sparingly when in growth applying a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser monthly. Keep dry in winter. See Euphorbia for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe at 15 to 20°C

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Prune lightly after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

May be suseptible to grey moulds