Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Cactus or Succulent
Origin
Madagascar
Mexico
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Cephalocereus senilis
Number of Varieties
81
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Dry areas, Forest margins, gardens, Semi arid regions, Semi desert
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1311-15
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
12-10
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
H1, H2, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Narrow Upright/Fastigiate
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm460.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
-
Light Pink
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
White
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
White
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
White
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
White
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Funnel shaped
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full 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
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Seedlings, Stem Planting, Vegetative Reproduction
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Water when soil is dry
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
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full 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
-
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
Skin irritation
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes
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
Bulbs, Hair
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Hair is used in making sweaters, Showy Purposes
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
CEPHALOCEREUS senilis
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Bunny Cactus
White Persian Cat cactus
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
ओल्ड मैन कैक्टस
In German
Devil's Backbone
Old Man Cactus
In French
Backbone du Diable
Old Man Cactus
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Viejo Cactus
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
Γέρος Cactus
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Old Man Cactus
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Stary Cactus
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Senem Cactus
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Caryophyllales
Family
Crassulaceae
Cactaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Cephalocereus
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
Pachycereeae
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Cactoideae
Number of Species
2000200
1
27800
👆🏻