Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Perennial
Shrub
Origin
California
Madagascar
Types
-
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Number of Varieties
18
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Chaparral, River side
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
7-109-13
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
9-1
-
Sunset Zone
H1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H2, 13, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
120.00 cm90.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
120.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White, Yellow
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Green, Tan
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Gray Green
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Gray Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Gray Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Light Green
Green, Gray Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Lance shaped
Ovate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Cuttings, Seedlings
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Needs watering once a week, Water well when planted
Average Water Needs, 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
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
prune nearly to the ground in late fall
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
organic fertlizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Verticillium Wilt
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
Foliage Sheen
-
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
Sometimes
Sometimes
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Allergy
-
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
antimicrobial, Astringent, Gum Problems, Stomach pain
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Part of Plant Used
Flower Stalk
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Wildflower
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
ROMNEYA coulteri
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name
Matilija Poppy
Devil's Backbone
In Hindi
Matilija Poppy
Devil's Backbone
In German
Matilija Poppy
Devil's Backbone
In French
Matilija Poppy
Backbone du Diable
In Spanish
Matilija amapola
El espinazo del diablo
In Greek
Matilija παπαρούνας
Devil's Backbone
In Portuguese
Matilija Poppy
Espinha do Diabo
In Polish
Matilija Poppy
Kręgosłup diabła
In Latin
Matilija Poppy
Narum diaboli
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Papaverales
Malpighiales
Family
Papaveraceae
Crassulaceae
Genus
Romneya
Euphorbia
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
Euphorbieae
Subfamily
Papaveroideae
Euphorbioideae
Number of Species
22000
1
27800
👆🏻