Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Perennial
Origin
Madagascar
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Southwestern United States, Canada
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
-
Number of Varieties
840
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
marshes, meadows, Slopes, Upland savannas
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-134-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
9-1
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm60.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm15.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
White, Purple, Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Light Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Lance shaped
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Summer, Fall
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Divison, Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Do Not over Water, Medium
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, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Cut or pinch the stems, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Balanced garden plant fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Gray mold, Verticillium Wilt
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought
Flowers
✔
✘
✔
✘
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
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Dizziness, Nausea
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
Good for skin
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Anodyne, Antibacterial, Astringent, Diarrhea, Diuretic
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Repellent, Used as a general tonic
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Cutflower, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Wildflower
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
LIATRIS spicata
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Gayfeather, dense blazing star, prairie gay feather
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Gayfeather
In German
Devil's Backbone
Gayfeather
In French
Backbone du Diable
Gayfeather
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Gayfeather
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
Gayfeather
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Gayfeather
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Gayfeather
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Gayfeather
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Asterales
Family
Crassulaceae
Asteraceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Liatris
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
Eupatorieae
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Asteroideae
Number of Species
200051
1
27800
👆🏻