Euphorbia atropurpurea – Succulent plants

Euphorbia atropurpurea is an ornamental shrub that can reach up to 2 m, with succulent brown stems and branches without spines. It has large bluish-green leaves, which form a rosette at the end of the branches. It flowers from winter to spring. The flowers have dark red bracts up to 1 cm in size. The fruit is a red capsule with three dark brown seeds.

Scientific classification:

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily: Euphorbioideae
Tribe: Euphorbieae
Subtribe: Euphorbiinae
Genus: Euphorbia

Scientific Name: Euphorbia atropurpurea
Synonyms: Euphorbia atropurpurea f. atropurpurea, Kanopikon atropurpureum, Tithymalus atropurpureus
Common Names: Tabaiba Majorera, Tabaiba Roja (Spanish)

How to grow and maintain Euphorbia atropurpurea:

Light:
It prefers full to partial sunlight. Provides good sunlight at least 3-5 hours of the day, and turn it regularly so that your plant doesn’t begin to grow lopsided.

Soil:
It grows well in well-draining, gritty soils or cactus potting mix. They are not particular about soil pH, but they cannot tolerate wet soil.

Water:
You can allow the soil to dry out between each watering. Before watering the plant check underneath the pot through the drainage holes to see if the roots are dry. If so then add some water. Do not water too often to prevent overwatering, that can potentially kill it off.

Temperature:
It prefers an optimal temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit – 85 degrees Fahrenheit / 16 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize every two weeks with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer during its growing season in the spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing your plant during the fall and winter months.

Propagation:
Euphorbia can be easily propagated by cuttings. Take cutting in spring, which needs to be dried out for a couple of weeks before potting. Also can be propagated from seed, but they can be difficult to germinate.

Pests and Diseases:
Euphorbia may be susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects, occasionally spider mites.