Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Cactus or Succulent
Origin
Madagascar
Southwestern United States, Mexico
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
-
Number of Varieties
830
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Desert, Hot climate regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1312-15
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
12-10
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Rosette/Stemless
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm270.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm180.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Yellow
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
-
Tan
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Green, Blue Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Green, Blue Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Green, Blue Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Green, Blue Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Linear
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Slow
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Leaf Cutting, Stem Cutting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Allow soil to be completely dry in between waterings, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
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
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Does not require fertilizer once established
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry Conditions, 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
-
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Borders, Decorating walls, Ground Cover
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
-
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
-
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
-
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
-
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Dried Flower, Everlasting, Feature Plant, Rock Garden, Wall, Wildflower
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
DASYLIRION berlandieri
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Blue Giant,
Blue Twister,
Desert Spoon
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Zaragosa
In German
Devil's Backbone
Zaragoza
In French
Backbone du Diable
Saragosse
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Zaragoza
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
Σαραγόσα
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Zaragoza
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Saragossa
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Caesaraugusta
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Chordata
Class
Magnoliopsida
-
Order
Malpighiales
Squamata
Family
Crassulaceae
Agavaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Gonyosoma
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
-
Tribe
Euphorbieae
-
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Colubrinae
Number of Species
200030
1
27800
👆🏻