Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Tree
Origin
Madagascar
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, South-Central United States
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Cherry laurel, California Bay Laurel, Spotted laurel
Number of Varieties
83
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-135-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
9-6
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm460.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm300.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
White, Ivory
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
Orange Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Green, Light Green, Blue Green, Silver
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Green, Light Green, Blue Green, Silver
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Green, Yellow green, Tan, Silver
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Green, Yellow green, Tan
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Oval
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
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Wet Site
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Grafting, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Do Not over Water, occasional watering once established
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
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Prune for shortening long shoots, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
fertilize in growing season
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Beetles, Fusarium wilt, Rust, Scab
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Salt and Soil Compaction, 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
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Birds, Butterflies
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
allergic conjunctivitis, Nausea, wheezing
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
For treating wrinkles, Hair Conditioner, Making cosmetics
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Indoor Air Purification, Insect Repellent
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Acne, Cancer, Diarrhea, Emollient, Migraines, Oral health, treating poison ivy
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Flowers, Leaf Stalks, Stem
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Cosmetics, Culinary use, Florist trade and landscaping, Making Perfumes, Oil is used in perfume, soaps, creams, etc., Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Foundation, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Laurus nobilis
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Sweetbay
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Laurus nobilis
In German
Devil's Backbone
Echter Lorbeer
In French
Backbone du Diable
Laurus nobilis
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Laurus nobilis
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
Laurus nobilis
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Loureiro
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Wawrzyn szlachetny
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Laurus nobilis
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Laurales
Family
Crassulaceae
Magnoliaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Laurus
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Monocots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
Epidendreae
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Epidendroideae
Number of Species
20003
1
27800
👆🏻