Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Herbaceous Perennial
Origin
Madagascar
Africa, Kenya, South Africa
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Freesia
Number of Varieties
815
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
gardens, Grassland, Homesteads, Tropical regions, Wet forest
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-139-10
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
-
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
-
Habit
Upright/Erect
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm50.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm40.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Yellow
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Green, Light Yellow, Brown
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Light Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Linear
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Medium
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Slightly Acidic
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Early Spring, Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
From bulbs
Plant Maintenance
Medium
High
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Keep the ground moist but not water-logged, Needs a lot of moisture in the growing season, Stop watering completely once the plant becomes dormant
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Slightly Acidic
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand, Well drained
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Shade, Indirect sunlight, Partial shade, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Cut away fading foliage, Remove deadheads, Requires very little pruning
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
20-20-20 amount, All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Potash
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Salt and Soil Compaction, Shade areas
Flowers
Showy
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Butterflies
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Ground Cover, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
Hair Conditioner, Making cosmetics, Skin cleanser
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
-
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Bulbs, Flowers
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Cosmetics, Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, Used for fragrance
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Flower borders, Screening
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Freesia refracta
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Freesia
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Freesia
In German
Devil's Backbone
Freesie
In French
Backbone du Diable
Freesia
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
fresia
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
freesia
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
freesia
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
frezja
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Freesia
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Asparagales
Family
Crassulaceae
Iridaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Freesia
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Monocots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
-
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Ixioideae
Number of Species
200016
1
27800
👆🏻