Life Span
Perennial
Annual and Perennial
Type
Shrub
Tree
Origin
Madagascar
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Canada
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
-
Number of Varieties
88
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Deep, Fertile bottom land, Hilly upland habitat, Well Drained
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-136-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
8-6
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21
Habit
Upright/Erect
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm1,371.60 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Purple, Burgundy, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
Yellow, Green, Yellow green, Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Yellow, Copper, Orange Red
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Oblong
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Medium
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Early Spring, Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
-
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Seedlings, Transplanting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season, Water Deeply
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
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Requires little pruning
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Magnesium sulphate, Nitrogen, Phosphate, Phosphorous, Potassium
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
-
Flowers
✔
✘
✔
✘
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
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Birds, Butterflies
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
breathing problems, Dizziness, Itchiness, Nausea, Rash, Stomach pain, Swelling
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
Good for skin and hair, Skin cleanser
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Shadow Tree
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Malaria, Rheumatism, Urine infections, Vomiting
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Flowers, Fruits, Leaves
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Making Shampoo, Used As Food, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Mixed Border, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
ASIMINA triloba
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Pawpaw
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
गंदा संयंत्र
In German
Devil's Backbone
Papaya Pflanze
In French
Backbone du Diable
usine de papaye
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
planta de la papaya
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
φυτό pawpaw
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
planta mamão
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
pawpaw roślin
In Latin
Narum diaboli
quince herba
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Magnoliales
Family
Crassulaceae
Annonaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Asimina Adans
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Magnoliids
Tribe
Euphorbieae
-
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
-
Number of Species
20009
1
27800
👆🏻