Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Cactus or Succulent
Shrub
Origin
Mexico
Madagascar
Types
Cephalocereus senilis
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Number of Varieties
18
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Forest margins, gardens, Semi arid regions, Semi desert
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
11-159-13
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
-
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 21, 22, 23, 24
H2, 13, 23, 24
Habit
Narrow Upright/Fastigiate
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
460.00 cm90.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
Light Pink
-
Leaf Color in Spring
White
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
White
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
White
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
White
Green, Gray Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Funnel shaped
Ovate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Very Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting, Vegetative Reproduction
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Water when soil is dry
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
Acidic, 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
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
Skin irritation
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
-
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Part of Plant Used
Bulbs, Hair
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
Hair is used in making sweaters, Showy Purposes
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
Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
CEPHALOCEREUS senilis
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name
Bunny Cactus
White Persian Cat cactus
Devil's Backbone
In Hindi
ओल्ड मैन कैक्टस
Devil's Backbone
In German
Old Man Cactus
Devil's Backbone
In French
Old Man Cactus
Backbone du Diable
In Spanish
Viejo Cactus
El espinazo del diablo
In Greek
Γέρος Cactus
Devil's Backbone
In Portuguese
Old Man Cactus
Espinha do Diabo
In Polish
Stary Cactus
Kręgosłup diabła
In Latin
Senem Cactus
Narum diaboli
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Malpighiales
Family
Cactaceae
Crassulaceae
Genus
Cephalocereus
Euphorbia
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Pachycereeae
Euphorbieae
Subfamily
Cactoideae
Euphorbioideae
Number of Species
2002000
1
27800
👆🏻