Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Euphorbia piscatoria or Fish-stunning Spurge

The genus Euphorbia, family Euphorbiaceae, includes some 7,000 species of cactiform, herbaceous, and shrub plants distributed throughout all continents. Some shrub species are: Euphorbia piscatoria, Euphorbia lambii, Euphorbia regis-jubae, Euphorbia umbellata, Euphorbia pulcherrima, Euphorbia cotinifolia, Euphorbia milii, Euphorbia characias, Euphorbia dendroides, Euphorbia rigida, Euphorbia leucocephala, Euphorbia anachoreta, Euphorbia tithymaloides.

Common name: Fish-stunning Spurge. This species is native to the Madeira archipelago.

They are shrubs with succulent gray stems and a rounded habit that reach 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height. The bluish-green, linear-lanceolate leaves appear in rosettes at the end of the branches; they can lose leaves in summer if it is very hot. The flowers, with yellowish bracts, appear in umbelliform inflorescences. They bloom from mid-winter to mid-summer.

Fish-stunning Spurge is used in rockeries, on dry and sunny slopes, in cactus and succulent gardens, as isolated specimens, in bushy groups and in pots for patios and terraces. It's ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens.

Euphorbia piscatoria needs full sun exposure; young plants prefer semi-shade exposure. Withstands light and occasional frosts down to -2 ºC (28.4 ºF).

Fish-stunning Spurge grows in any soil that has excellent drainage, be it stony, poor or sandy.

Water moderately, waiting for the substrate to be completely dry; It resists drought very well.

Euphorbia piscatoria does not need fertilizer.

Prune dry branches in early spring. It is advisable to protect your hands with gloves since the latex they produce is very irritating.

Fish-stunning Spurge is a plant resistant to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to the accumulation of water in the roots.

Euphorbia piscatoria is propagated from seeds sown in spring and by cuttings.

Images of the shrub Euphorbia piscatoria or Fish-stunning Spurge