Euphorbia horrida f. alba | White milk barrel euphorbia
€37,10
🌱 Morphology
It looks like a cactus that has lost its color and turned into a white, spiny sculpture. Its stems, with a robust and almost mineral appearance, are traversed by rows of rigid spines that trace a spectacular geometry. The result resembles a miniature prehistoric creature: a seemingly hostile plant, yet one of extraordinarily clean beauty.
It forms cylindrical, erect, and very robust succulent stems, which can branch from the base and form irregular clusters. The stems feature between 10 and 20 prominent angles or ribs, looking almost winged, and can reach approximately 10–15 cm in thickness. The spikes, which are modified and persistent floral peduncles, are very rigid and can reach about 4 cm in length. In the alba form, the general hue is especially light, creating a very attractive contrast between the whitish body and the geometric structure of the ribs and spines. Like all Euphorbia, it produces white latex when injured.
🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
It is a horticultural form of Euphorbia horrida, native to South Africa. The species is found in arid and semi-arid areas of the Cape provinces, from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape, associated with stony terrain and xerophytic scrub. It belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. The name Euphorbia horrida is currently treated as a synonym of Euphorbia polygona by Kew, although E. horrida continues to be widely used in specialized horticulture.
❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 9b–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −4 ºC if it remains completely dry, is well-acclimated, and the exposure is brief. In cultivation, the combination of low temperatures and humidity should be especially avoided.
☀️ Lighting
During active growth, it needs intense lighting, with an approximate goal of 18–25 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR. It tolerates direct sun after progressive acclimation. High lighting helps keep the stems compact and enhances its characteristic light and sculptural appearance.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest.
During the active period, abundant watering is recommended, allowing the substrate to dry completely before watering again. In winter, it should be kept practically dry, especially when temperatures are low. Rapid drainage is essential to avoid root problems.
🌸 Flowering
It produces small, greenish to yellowish cyathia, which appear individually on peduncles between the ribs. In some plants, the floral glands may have green or purple hues. It is a dioecious plant. Flowering is concentrated mainly during the warm months and, in Madrid, can occur between spring and summer.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a specific fertilizer for succulents is recommended, with a high content of assimilable calcium, such as Desert CHOICE® Succulents, applied once a month when watering.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
9x9 cm, 12x12 cm and 14x14 cm pots
- Shipped today? Order within:
- Hassle-free returns
- Free Shipping on orders over €79.99
Expert advice with every purchase
Our team provides you with personalized advice on caring for your plants and growing media.
-
Secure and protected payment guaranteed.
