Life Span
Perennial
Annual
Origin
Madagascar
Central America, Mexico
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Slicing, Pickling and burpless
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Floodplains, Wet forest
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-13
7-8
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Vining/Climbing
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Yellow, Gold
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Green, Dark Green, Yellow green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
-
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Heart-shaped
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Summer, Fall
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Very Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Indeterminate
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Keep ground moist, Requires a lot of watering, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Prune after flowering, Remove shoots
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Compost, organic fertlizers
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Bacteria wilt, Fungal Diseases, fungus, Fusarium wilt, Leaf spot, Striped cucumber beetles
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Cold climate
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Bold
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Ants, Birds, Flying insects, Insects, Rats, Squirrels
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Throat itching, Vomiting
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
-
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Food for animals, Food for birds
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Antioxidants, Combats Stress, Fiber, Improve heart health, Indigestion, Inflammation, Rich in Iron
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Fruits, Seeds
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
No
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Vine
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
MELOTHRIA scabra
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Mexican Sour Gherkins, cucamelon
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Mousemelon
In German
Devil's Backbone
Maus Melone
In French
Backbone du Diable
Mousemelon
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Mousemelon
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
πεπόνι ποντίκι
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
melão rato
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
mysz melona
In Latin
Narum diaboli
mouse melon
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Cucurbitales
Family
Crassulaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Euphorbieae
Melothrieae
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Cucurbitoideae
Season and Care of Devils Backbone and Mouse Melon
Season and care of Devils Backbone and Mouse Melon is important to know. While considering everything about Devils Backbone and Mouse Melon Care, growing season is an essential factor. Devils Backbone season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Mouse Melon season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Devils Backbone is Loam, Sand and for Mouse Melon is Loam while the PH of soil for Devils Backbone is Neutral, Alkaline and for Mouse Melon is Neutral.
Devils Backbone and Mouse Melon Physical Information
Devils Backbone and Mouse Melon physical information is very important for comparison. Devils Backbone height is 90.00 cm and width 30.00 cm whereas Mouse Melon height is 15.20 cm and width 180.00 cm. The color specification of Devils Backbone and Mouse Melon are as follows:
Devils Backbone flower color: Purple, Orange, Pink and Magenta
Devils Backbone leaf color: Green, Gray Green and Burgundy
Mouse Melon flower color: Yellow and Gold
- Mouse Melon leaf color: Light Green
Care of Devils Backbone and Mouse Melon
Care of Devils Backbone and Mouse Melon include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Devils Backbone pruning is done Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches and Remove dead leaves and Mouse Melon pruning is done Prune after flowering and Remove shoots. In summer Devils Backbone needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water. Whereas, in summer Mouse Melon needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.