Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southeastern United States, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America
Madagascar
Types
Guaiacum officinale
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Habitat
Coastal Regions, Dry and Young forest Heaths, Thickets, Woodlands
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-15
9-13
Sunset Zone
H1, H2
H2, 13, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Upright/Erect
Flower Color
Purple, Violet, Blue Violet
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Yellow, Red
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Olive
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Olive
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Olive
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Shape
Egg-shaped
Ovate
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Very Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter, Indeterminate
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Tolerances
Drought, Salt
Drought
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
Requires watering in the growing season
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
In Summer
Consistently
Lots of watering
In Spring
Average Water
Moderate
In Winter
Moderate
Average Water
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, Partial Sun
Pruning
Prune to stimulate growth
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
Fertilize three times a year
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
fungus, Mealybugs, Scale, Spider mites
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Salt
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Fine
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Allergy
Skin irritation
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Skin Problems
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
-
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Part of Plant Used
Bark, Sap
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
used for making roof trusses, poles, joists, piles, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
GUAIACUM sanctum
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name
Holy-wood, Lignum Vitae
Devil's Backbone
In Hindi
Lignum Vitae
Devil's Backbone
In German
Lignum Vitae
Devil's Backbone
In French
Lignum Vitae
Backbone du Diable
In Spanish
Palo santo
El espinazo del diablo
In Greek
Lignum Vitae
Devil's Backbone
In Portuguese
pau-santo
Espinha do Diabo
In Polish
Lignum Vitae
Kręgosłup diabła
In Latin
lignum Vitae
Narum diaboli
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Sapindales
Malpighiales
Family
Zygophyllaceae
Crassulaceae
Clade
-
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Subfamily
-
Euphorbioideae
Season and Care of Lignum Vitae and Devils Backbone
Season and care of Lignum Vitae and Devils Backbone is important to know. While considering everything about Lignum Vitae and Devils Backbone Care, growing season is an essential factor. Lignum Vitae season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Devils Backbone season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Lignum Vitae is Loam, Sand and for Devils Backbone is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Lignum Vitae is Neutral, Alkaline and for Devils Backbone is Neutral, Alkaline.
Lignum Vitae and Devils Backbone Physical Information
Lignum Vitae and Devils Backbone physical information is very important for comparison. Lignum Vitae height is 300.00 cm and width 370.00 cm whereas Devils Backbone height is 90.00 cm and width 30.00 cm. The color specification of Lignum Vitae and Devils Backbone are as follows:
Lignum Vitae flower color: Purple, Violet and Blue Violet
Lignum Vitae leaf color: Green and Olive
Devils Backbone flower color: Purple, Orange, Pink and Magenta
- Devils Backbone leaf color: Green, Gray Green and Burgundy
Care of Lignum Vitae and Devils Backbone
Care of Lignum Vitae and Devils Backbone include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Lignum Vitae pruning is done Prune to stimulate growth and Devils Backbone pruning is done Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches and Remove dead leaves. In summer Lignum Vitae needs Consistently and in winter, it needs Moderate. Whereas, in summer Devils Backbone needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.