Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Shrub
Origin
Madagascar
Eastern Africa, Southern Africa
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Epigeal, Hypogeal
Number of Varieties
82
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Coastal sand dunes, Wild
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1310-15
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
12-1
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
-
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm30.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Yellow, Red, Green, Orange
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
-
Green
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
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Reniform
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Medium
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
reseeds, root cutting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Do Not over Water, Keep the Soil well drained
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Sand
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
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought
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
Kidney Disease
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Formal Garden, Hanging Basket
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
Beans
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Basketary, Edible seed
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
COTYLEDON
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Pig's ear, Dog's ear
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
बीजपत्र
In German
Devil's Backbone
Cotyledon
In French
Backbone du Diable
Cotyledon
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Cotyledon
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
κοτυληδών kotylēdōn
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Cotyledon
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Liścień
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Cotyledon
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
-
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Rosales
Family
Crassulaceae
Crassulaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Cotyledon L.
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Rosids
Tribe
Euphorbieae
-
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
-
Number of Species
200012
1
27800
👆🏻