Euphorbia phillipsoides
€10,60
🌱 Morphology
A small colony of green fingers that had decided to grow between the stones. Numerous short, erect stems multiply from the base, growing closely together to form a compact cushion in which each branch looks like a small carved column. The deeply marked, sinuous ribs end in tiny teeth that run along the stems like a botanical zipper.
It is a small, perennial succulent that is highly branched from the base, reaching approximately 5–15 cm in height and capable of forming clusters about 10 cm in diameter. The stems are cylindrical, finger-like, approximately 1–2.5 cm in diameter, and have 10–14 ribs separated by well-defined grooves. The margins of the ribs are sinuous and feature teeth of about 2–4 mm. Spines develop in pairs on specialized structures and contribute to the plant's armored appearance.
🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
A species of the Euphorbiaceae family, endemic to Somalia. It lives on stony and rocky plains, especially on limestone terrain, among very open Acacia scrub, at an altitude of about 1,300–1,500 m. It is morphologically very close to Euphorbia phillipsiae, with which it has been confused in the past.
❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 10a–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −1 ºC only in specimens that are completely dry, well-acclimated, and during brief episodes. Cultivation guidelines are quite cautious, and some specialized collections recommend keeping it at around 14 ºC during the winter; therefore, it is not considered an especially cold-hardy Euphorbia.
☀️ Lighting
During active growth, a DLI PAR of 18–25 mol/m²/day is recommended, with very intense light and several hours of direct sun once acclimated. Insufficient lighting can lead to weaker and less compact growth. The transition from shade to direct sun should be done progressively to avoid sunburn.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. During the active growth period, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry completely before watering again. Due to its origin in rocky, well-drained terrain, it does not tolerate waterlogging. During the winter, it should be kept practically dry, especially at low temperatures.
🌸 Flowering
It produces small, yellow cyathia, which are inconspicuous individually but interesting due to their position between the stem ribs. Flowering occurs during the growth period and can go quite unnoticed due to the plant's small size.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer specific 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 high-tech square pot, with the substrate activated by mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
8x8 cm black gourmet pot
- 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.
