Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Cactus or Succulent
Origin
Madagascar
Southern Africa
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Hoodia albispina, Hoodia flava, Hoodia bainii
Number of Varieties
825
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Desert
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1312-15
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
12-10
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Clump-Forming
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm30.50 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm30.50 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Red, Pink, Tan
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
-
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Blue Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
-
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Blue Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Blue Green, Gray Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
-
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
Very Slow
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
Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Water when top layer of soil becomes dry
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Average Water
In Winter
Average Water
Once a week
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
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
No pruning needed in the early stages
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
No fertilizers needed
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Full Sun, Shade areas
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
Flies, Insects
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Dry Mouth
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
Weightloss
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Food for insects
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Weight loss
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Stem
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Can be made into a herbal tea, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Hoodia gordonii
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
ǁhoba, Ghaap
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Hoodia
In German
Devil's Backbone
Hoodia
In French
Backbone du Diable
Hoodia
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Hoodia
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
Hoodia
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Hoodia
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Hoodia
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Hoodia
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Gentianales
Family
Crassulaceae
Apocynaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Hoodia
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
Stapeliae
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Asclepiadoideae
Number of Species
200025
1
27800
👆🏻