Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Cactus or Succulent
Origin
Madagascar
Southern Europe, Western Europe
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Sempervivum altum, Sempervivum davisii, Sempervivum juvanii
Number of Varieties
840
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
limestone outcrops, Rocky areas, Stone and Masonry fences and walls
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-135-8
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
8-1
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Rosette/Stemless
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm10.20 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Light Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
-
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Blue Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Blue Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Blue Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Blue Green, Burgundy
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
V-Shaped
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
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Summer
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
Do Not over Water
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, Alkaline
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
-
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
20-20-20 amount, All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Aphids, Mealybugs, 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
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
Good for skin
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Antipruritic, Astringent, Diuretic, Odontalgic
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Leaves
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Cosmetics, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Alpine, Container, Groundcover, Rock Garden, Wall
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
SEMPERVIVUM calcareum
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Houseleek, Common houseleek
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
houseleek
In German
Devil's Backbone
Hauswurz
In French
Backbone du Diable
joubarbe
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
houseleek
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
houseleek
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
houseleek
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
houseleek
In Latin
Narum diaboli
AMERIMNON
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Rosales
Family
Crassulaceae
Crassulaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Sempervivum
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
Sedeae
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Sedoideae
Number of Species
200040
1
27800
👆🏻