Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Broadleaf Evergreen
Origin
Madagascar
Europe, Russia
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Symphytum officinale (common comfrey), Symphytum asperum (rough comfrey)
Number of Varieties
82
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Cold Regions, stream banks
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-136-11
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
-
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
21,22
Habit
Upright/Erect
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm20.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm90.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
White, Light Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
Orange Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Red, Green, Copper
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
Red, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Oval
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
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
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
-
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Root Division, Transplanting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Allow to dry out slightly between watering, Water daily during 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
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Cut or pinch the stems, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
14-14-14 Fertilizer, All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, can go long without fertilizers
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Aphids, Stem spot
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Shallow soil, Sun
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
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
Sometimes
Sometimes
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Ants, Butterflies, pollinators
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Antibacterial, Peripheral Edema
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
Acne, Beautiful Skin, Reduce Bruises, Remove blemishes
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Fixes Nitrogen
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Asthma, Diarrhea, Obesity, Osteoarthritis
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Leaves, Twigs
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Groundcover, Hedges, Mixed Border, Tropical
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Symphytum asperum
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Comfrey,Black Root, Blackwort, Bruisewort
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Blackwort
In German
Devil's Backbone
Blackwort
In French
Backbone du Diable
Blackwort
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Blackwort
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
Blackwort
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Blackwort
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Blackwort
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Blackwort
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Lamiales
Family
Crassulaceae
Boraginaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Symphytum
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Euphorbieae
-
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Boraginoideae
Number of Species
200035
1
27800
👆🏻