Life Span
Perennial
Annual
Type
Shrub
Shrub
Origin
Madagascar
Melanesia
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
-
Number of Varieties
812
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Subtropical climates, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1310-15
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
12-1
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
H1, H2, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm240.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm180.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Red, Green, Copper
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
-
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
White, Yellow, Green, Purple, Orange, Chartreuse, Dark Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Copper, Bronze
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
White, Yellow, Green, Purple, Orange, Chartreuse, Dark Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Copper, Bronze
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
White, Yellow, Green, Purple, Orange, Chartreuse, Dark Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Copper, Bronze
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
White, Yellow, Green, Purple, Orange, Dark Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Copper, Bronze
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Reniform
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Variety of soil types
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Stem Cutting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Average Water Needs
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
slow-release fertilizers
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Aphids, Mites, Soft scales
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Variety of soil types
Flowers
Showy
Insignificant
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Birds
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
bronchial asthma, Rhinoconjunctivitis
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Abdominal Disease, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Cough, Headache, Kidney problems
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Leaves, Twigs
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Basketary, Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
ACALYPHA wilkesiana
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Copperleaf
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Copperleaf
In German
Devil's Backbone
Copperleaf
In French
Backbone du Diable
Copperleaf
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
copperleaf
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
Copperleaf
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Copperleaf
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
CopperLeaf
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Copperleaf
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Euphorbiales
Family
Crassulaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Acalypha
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Euphorbieae
Acalypheae
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Acalyphoideae
Number of Species
2000462
1
27800
👆🏻