Care of the succulent plant Euphorbia bubalina or Buffalo Euphorbia |
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The genus Euphorbia, family Euphorbiaceae, includes 2,000 species of succulents, trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants of cosmopolitan distribution. Some species are: Euphorbia bubalina, Euphorbia viguieri, Euphorbia meloformis, Euphorbia lomelii, Euphorbia enopla, Euphorbia echinus, Euphorbia coerulescens, Euphorbia characias, Euphorbia candelabrum, Euphorbia canariensis, Euphorbia obesa, Euphorbia resinifera, Euphorbia tithymaloides, Euphorbia regis-jubae, Euphorbia royleana, Euphorbia trigona, Euphorbia bivonae, Euphorbia rigida, Euphorbia handiensis, Euphorbia balsamifera. Common name: Buffalo Euphorbia. Scientific synonym: Euphorbia laxiflora. This species is native to South Africa. Euphorbia bubalina is a shrubby succulent plant with a tuberculate stem and branches that reaches 1.5 m (5 feet) in height. The arching leaves are bright green and long and narrow (reaching 15 cm/6" in length). The small white flowers are funnel-shaped. It blooms in summer. Buffalo Euphorbia is mainly used in pots for patios and terraces and as an indoor plant. In spring and summer it is best to take it outside. Euphorbia bubalina needs full sun exposure, avoiding direct sunlight on the central leaves during the day. It is advisable that in winter the temperature does not fall below 10 ºC. The soil can be a commercial substrate for cacti and succulents. Repot in early spring if the pot has become too small; protect your hands from the irritating latex produced by the plant. Water regularly in spring and summer, waiting for the substrate to dry completely. In autumn, water more or less every 15 days and once a month in winter. Fertilize once in spring and again in autumn with mineral fertilizer for cacti and succulents. Euphorbia bubalina does not need pruning. Buffalo Euphorbia does not usually present serious problems with pests and diseases. Euphorbia laxiflora is propagated from seeds sown in a seedbed at the end of winter or in spring and by means of cuttings (it is a complicated process). |
Images of the succulent plant Euphorbia bubalina or Buffalo Euphorbia |
 Euphorbia bubalina  Euphorbia bubalina |