Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Succulent
Origin
Madagascar
Southern Africa
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
830
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1310-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
10-1
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
-
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Succulent
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
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Moderate
Less Watering
In Winter
Average Water
Less Watering
Soil
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, 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, Partial shade
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, 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
Butterflies
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Elephant Bush
In German
Devil's Backbone
Elephant Bush
In French
Backbone du Diable
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
elefante Bush
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Narum diaboli
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Caryophyllales
Family
Crassulaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
-
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
20001
1
27800
👆🏻