Life Span
Perennial
Annual and Perennial
Type
Shrub
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
Origin
Madagascar
Central America, South America
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Vine, Flowering plant
Number of Varieties
85
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
All sorts of environments, Along Railroads, Banks, Moist Ditches, Roadsides, rocky banks of streams
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1310-13
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
12-1
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
21,22
Habit
Upright/Erect
Vining/Climbing
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm15.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm15.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Purple, Rose
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Purple, Dark Green, Black
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Several shades of Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Light Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Acicular
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 Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, 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, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Cuttings, Leaf Cutting, Tuber propagation
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Keep the Soil well drained, Needs very little 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
Clay, 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
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
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
Aphids, Beetles, Cutworms, Insects, Mites, Whiteflies
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Abdominal pain, allergic reaction, Nausea, Skin rash, Twitching of face
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
-
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Cures constipation, Fiber, Low calories, lowering blood pressure, Potassium, ß-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Leaves, Root, Shoots, Stem, Tuber
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Starch, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Edible, Groundcover, Hanging Basket, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Vine
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
IPOMOEA batatas 'Blackie'
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Blackie Sweet Potato Vine, Sweet Potato Vine
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
शकरकन्द
In German
Devil's Backbone
Süßkartoffel
In French
Backbone du Diable
Patate douce
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Ipomoea batatas
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
Sweet potato
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Batata-doce
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Wilec ziemniaczany
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Ipomoea batatas
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Solanales
Family
Crassulaceae
Convolvulaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Ipomoea
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
-
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
-
Number of Species
2000500
1
27800
👆🏻