Healthy Euphorbia Tithymaloides

Euphorbia Tithymaloides

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  • 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

4.5" Pot
 Also Know 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

Quart Pot
 Also Know 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

2.5 Quart
 Also Know As:
   2.5 Quart Pot

 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 8"-12"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
 Volume:
   2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot

#1 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #1 Container
    1 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 10"-14"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 7"H x 7.75"W
 Volume:
   2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot

#2 Pot
 Also Know 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

#3 Pot
 Also Know 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 Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)

Plant Addicts guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy and healthy, but the plant(s) are being shipped through the mail and 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 information on how to care for you new plant please check out our guide. 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 new or an expert. There are many variables outside our control and yours that can cause the demise of your plant(s). Examples would be hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, disease, insects & many other factors. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all the unknowns and will replace your plant if it moves on to the plant afterlife.

The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant purchase. We will cover 100% of the price of the plant but the warranty does not cover shipping cost. Simply let us know if your plant has died within one year of receiving it and we’ll get you a new one shipped out. We may ask for photos for documentation purposes but again we’ll try to make it as easy as possible.

For more information, please go to our Shipping & Returns page at the bottom of the website.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

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

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

  • If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.  
    • We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location


Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.