- Flowering Tropical Plant
- Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light)
- Average Watering Needs
- Mature Height 3 Feet
Devil’s Backbone, ZigZag Plant, Red Flower Plant, and Fiddle Flower are all common names for Euphorbia tithymaloides. This flowering succulent is part of the same genus that includes the Crown of Thorns and the popular and well-known Poinsettia. Devil’s Backbone is native to Mexico and Central America and easily grown as a landscape plant in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. The succulent leaves grow in pairs along symmetrically jointed stems, which become bare as the plant grows taller and matures. Growing this houseplant is easy, with little maintenance necessary.
Best Locations For Growing Euphorbia Tithymaloides
This Euphorbia is perfect growing in a brightly lit room almost anywhere in the house. It thrives in average room temperatures between 68-85 degrees F and does not require extra humidity. This plant exudes latex when cut, an irritant for those who are allergic. Devil’s Backbone should be grown out of the reach of pets and children.
Euphorbia Tithymaloides Sunlight Requirements
Most Euphorbias will display the best leaf and bract color when grown in bright filtered light levels. South-facing windows are perfect, although, during hot summers, the plant may need to be moved back from direct sun exposure.
Euphorbia Tithymaloides Care
Plant this Euphorbia in a rich, soil-based, indoor potting mix. If the soil seems too heavy, add more perlite or vermiculite for drainage. Unglazed terracotta pots are ideal homes for Euphorbia. These porous pots allow the soil to dry faster than a plastic pot, resulting in less chance of root rot from overwatering. Pruning is not needed for shaping. Taking off damaged or dying leaves and stems can be done any time of the year.
Watering Euphorbia Tithymaloides
The key to keeping Euphorbia happy is to water with very small amounts 2 or 3 times a week. Do not saturate the soil. Misting the soil with water is another great way to ensure that Euphorbia is not overwatered. After the Devil’s Backbone has finished flowering, it requires less watering. Allow the soil to dry fully between sessions.
Feeding Euphorbia Tithymaloides
Fertilize with an all-purpose, balanced houseplant feed in the spring and the summer. Dilute the fertilizer to half the manufacturer's recommendation and apply once every 2-3 weeks during the spring and until the plant stops blooming in summer. Fertilizing in the fall and winter is not necessary.
Euphorbia Tithymaloides Information
| Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light |
| Care Requirements: Easy |
| Watering Requirements: Average - When the top 2 inches of the soil dries out. |
| Pet Friendly: No |
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Air Purifier: Moderate |
| Habit: Upright |
| Growth Rate: Slow |
| Mature Height: 2-3 feet |
| Mature Spread: 18-24 inches |
| Flowering: Yes |
| Flower Color(s): Pink, Red, White |
| Flower Shade/Description: White, Pink, Red |
| Fragrant: No |
| Foliage Type: |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Dark Green |
| Temperature: 75° - 85°F (24° - 29°C) |
| Humidity: Low |
| Common Name: Euphorbia Tithymaloides |
| Other Name(s): Devil's Backbone |
| Scientific Name: Euphorbia tithymaloides |
| Plant Type: House Plant |
- SKU:
- Succ_Euphorbia_Devils.Backbone-HP
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations