Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Cactus
Origin
Madagascar
South America
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Gymnocalycium alboareolatum , Gymnocalycium amerhauseri , Gymnocalycium andreae
Number of Varieties
854
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Desert, Semi desert
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-139-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
12-1
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
13,21,22,23,24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm12.50 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm8.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
creamy white, Light Pink, Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
-
Pink
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
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
-
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
All year
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Part sun, Partial shade, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Medium
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Sand, Sandy
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Sandy
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
All year
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Dry Conditions, Dry soil, Full Sun, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Offsets
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Do not water excessively
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Sandy
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Dry
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Part sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
-
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, can go long without fertilizers
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Mealy bugs, Root rot
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Dry soil, Full Sun, Heat Tolerance
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
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Ants, Mealybugs
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Ornamental use
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
-
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Food for animals, Food for birds, Food for insects
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
-
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Bark, Fruits
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Decoration Purposes
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Showy Tree
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
GYMNOCALYCIUM
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Chin Cactus
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Gymnocalycium
In German
Devil's Backbone
Gymnocalycium
In French
Backbone du Diable
Gymnocalycium
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Gymnocalycium
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
Gymnocalycium
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Gymnocalycium
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Gymnocalycium
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Gymnocalycium
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Caryophyllales
Family
Crassulaceae
Cactaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Gymnocalycium
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
Trichocereeae
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Cactoideae
Number of Species
200054
1
27800
👆🏻