Gopher Plant

Euphorbia rigida

Light

Water

Low water once established; water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry thoroughly between waterings. Avoid frequent summer irrigation.

Size

2-3 ft tall × 3-4 ft wide

Habit

Mounded – spreading shrub

Toxicity

Toxic if Ingested; Sap Irritant

Description

A drought-tolerant succulent perennial with upright to arching stems clothed in spirals of pointed, blue-gray leaves and topped by showy chartreuse flower clusters.

Bloom Time

Late winter to early spring

Deciduous / Evergreen

Evergreen

Special Features

Architectural Form, Attracts Bees / Pollinators, Colorful Foliage, Heat Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Growth Rate

Slow to moderate

Growth Habit

Mounded – spreading shrub

Mature Size

2-3 ft tall × 3-4 ft wide

Flower Color

Chartreuse yellow

Foliage Color

Blue-gray

Landscape Use

Border / Bed, Cactus / Succulent Garden, Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape

Garden Style

Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape, Pollinator / Wildlife

Soil

Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained

Companion Plants

Blackfoot daisy, Desert marigold, Golden barrel cactus, Red yucca, Santa Rita prickly pear

Toxic if Ingested; Sap Irritant

Sap is a skin/eye irritant; toxic if ingested

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun to light shade; afternoon shade is beneficial in Phoenix’s hottest exposures.

Water: Low water once established; water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry thoroughly between waterings. Avoid frequent summer irrigation.

Soil: Very well-drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil; tolerates alkaline soils. Use raised planting areas where drainage is poor.

Mature size: About 2–3 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide.

Bloom: Late winter through spring in Phoenix.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.

Growth rate: Moderate.