Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Tree
Origin
Madagascar
Mexico, Central America
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Criollo, Forastero, Trinitario
Number of Varieties
83
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Lowland, Tropical rainforest, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1311-15
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
12-10
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
H1, H2
Habit
Upright/Erect
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm610.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm370.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
White
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
Gold, Burgundy, Dark Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Light Green, Dark Green, Pink, Copper
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Light Green, Dark Green, Copper
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Light Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Dark Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Broad, Unlobed
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Medium
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
-
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Keep ground moist, 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
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Prune to stimulate growth, Prune twice a year, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Ammonia sulphate, Nitrogen
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Borers, Insects, Phytophthora, Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Shade areas, Wet Site
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
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
-
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Diabetes, Diarrhea
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
-
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Anti-oxidant, Antioxidants, Asthma, Cancer, Cardiovascular problems, constipation, High cholestrol, Wounds
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Leaves, Seeds
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Employed in herbal medicine, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in making beverages
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Shade Trees, Tropical
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
THEOBROMA cacao
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Cacao, Chocolate, Cocoa
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
कोको संयंत्र
In German
Devil's Backbone
Kakaopflanze
In French
Backbone du Diable
usine de cacao
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
planta del cacao
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
φυτό του κακάο
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
planta do cacau
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Kakao roślin
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Cocos herba
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Malvales
Family
Crassulaceae
Sterculiaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Theobroma
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Euphorbieae
Theobromeae
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Byttneroideae
Number of Species
200022
1
27800
👆🏻