Euphorbia handiensis or Jandia thistle

Care of the succulent plant Euphorbia handiensis or Jandia thistle

The genus Euphorbia, family Euphorbiaceae, includes 2,000 species of succulents, trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants of cosmopolitan distribution. Some species are: Euphorbia handiensis, Euphorbia meloformis, Euphorbia lomelii, Euphorbia grandicornis, Euphorbia flanaganii, Euphorbia enterophora, Euphorbia enopla, Euphorbia echinus, Euphorbia cotinifolia, Euphorbia coerulescens, Euphorbia characias, Euphorbia candelabrum, Euphorbia canariensis, Euphorbia pulcherrima, Euphorbia resinifera, Euphorbia milii, Euphorbia tithymaloides, Euphorbia regis-jubae, Euphorbia royleana, Euphorbia trigona, Euphorbia bivonae, Euphorbia rigida, Euphorbia handiensis, Euphorbia balsamifera, Euphorbia leucocephala.

Common name: Jandia thistle. This species is native to the Canary Islands.

They are succulent plants with a bushy bearing and very slow growth that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height. They have a cactus-like appearance and a deep green stem that turns greyish with age. The ribs can be up to 12 and have groups of 2 spines red in their youth (later white). They produce small yellow flowers that are quite decorative. They bloom in spring and early summer.

They are used in pots for patios, terraces, as indoor plants, on rockeries, on slopes and areas of the garden that are dry and difficult to access.

Euphorbia handiensis can grow in direct sunlight or light shade exposure. The winter safety temperature is 5 ºC (41 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of coarse sand or volcanic gravel and peat. The transplant is done in spring.

Water regularly from spring to early fall, waiting for the substrate to dry. In winter, water at most once a month. It is important that the ambient humidity is low.

They do not need fertilizers or pruning.

They are plants resistant to the usual pests but sensitive to excess humidity.

They propagate by seeds sown in the nursery in spring or by cuttings in summer; hands must be protected from the irritating latex they produce.