Euphorbia enopla clump of slender blue-green ribbed stems with long red spines in a terracotta pot

Euphorbia Enopla

Euphorbia enopla
Categories:
Cacti & Succulents  ·  
Other Succulents
Light
Morning sun / afternoon shade
Water
Low water; water thoroughly, then let soil dry completely. Water sparingly during cool weather, and never leave roots in standing water.
Size
2-4 ft tall × 2-3 ft wide
Habit
Clustering succulent
Toxicity
Toxic if Ingested; Sap Irritant
Description
A compact South African succulent with upright, ribbed green stems armed with vivid red spines that darken with age; resembles a cactus but belongs to the spurge family.
Bloom Time
Spring to early summer
Deciduous / Evergreen
Evergreen
Special Features
Architectural Form, Drought Tolerant, Thorny / Spiny
Growth Rate
Slow
Growth Habit
Clustering succulent
Mature Size
2-4 ft tall × 2-3 ft wide
Flower Color
Red to yellow-green
Foliage Color
Green with red to purple spines
Landscape Use
Cactus / Succulent Garden, Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape, Specimen / Accent
Garden Style
Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape
Soil
Sandy / Rocky
Companion Plants
Compact aloes suited to afternoon shade, Gasteria, Zebra haworthia
Toxic if Ingested; Sap Irritant
Toxic if ingested; milky sap is a severe skin/eye irritant
Care Instructions

Light: Bright light with morning sun and afternoon shade in Phoenix; acclimate gradually and protect from intense reflected summer heat.

Water: Low water; water thoroughly, then let soil dry completely. Water sparingly during cool weather, and never leave roots in standing water.

Soil: Sharply drained cactus/succulent mix with generous pumice or gravel; use containers with drainage holes or raised beds rather than heavy clay.

Mature size: About 1–3 feet tall and 1–2 feet wide.

Bloom: Small, inconspicuous blooms typically appear in spring to summer on established plants.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen succulent stems; tiny, short-lived leaves are usually absent.

Growth rate: Slow to moderate in warm weather with suitable light and careful watering.