Euphorbia 'Sotetsu Kirin' | Pineapple Cone
€26,50
🌱 Morphology
It looks like a small tropical pineapple that decided to become a tree. Its thick stem is covered in a succession of geometric reliefs, while a crown of long, narrow leaves appears at the top, immediately reminiscent of a small Cycas. It is one of those Euphorbia where the plant looks more like a sculpture than a vegetable, and therein lies much of its appeal.
It is a slow-growing Japanese horticultural hybrid, usually related to Euphorbia bupleurifolia and E. susannae. It develops a short, thick, and fleshy stem, generally solitary for much of its life, which can reach approximately 15–20 cm in height and form a widened base. The surface is covered by numerous protuberances and leaf scars arranged very regularly, caused by the shedding of leaves and responsible for its characteristic pineapple-like texture. The narrow, lanceolate leaves appear in an apical crown during active growth and may partially disappear during dormancy. Over the years, it can produce offsets and form clumps. It does not develop the characteristic prominent spines of many succulent Euphorbia. Like all Euphorbia, it produces white latex when injured.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It has no natural distribution, as it is a horticultural hybrid produced and selected in Japan. Its parents are related to South African species of the Euphorbia genus, but 'Sotetsu Kirin' should be considered a cultivated entity and not a wild plant. It belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. The Japanese name 蘇鉄麒麟 (Sotetsu Kirin) and the trade name Pineapple Cone refer to its resemblance to a Cycas and a small pineapple, respectively.
❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 10a–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −1 ºC according to the USDA zone attributed to the E. bupleurifolia × E. susannae hybrid, but this figure should be interpreted with great caution. Specific cultivation references for 'Sotetsu Kirin' recommend keeping it at around 10 ºC or higher during winter, especially for potted specimens. Therefore, it is not considered a cold-hardy Euphorbia and must be protected from frost and, above all, from the humidity associated with low temperatures.
☀️ Lighting
During active growth, it needs intense lighting, with an approximate target of 18–25 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR. It tolerates high light exposure but must be progressively acclimated to direct sun, especially after being kept in protected conditions. Insufficient lighting causes weaker, elongated growth and alters the plant's compact architecture.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy.
During the active period, abundant watering is recommended, allowing the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. In autumn and winter, its activity notably decreases and it may lose some leaves, so watering should be significantly reduced. During dormancy, it is especially important to avoid keeping the substrate moist for long periods, as its roots are sensitive to excess water at low temperatures.
🌸 Flowering
In adult specimens, it may produce small greenish-yellow cyathia, although flowering is secondary to the extraordinary ornamental value of its stem and crown of leaves. It can bloom during spring and summer under proper conditions.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a specific fertilizer for succulents with a high content of assimilable calcium is recommended, such as Desert CHOICE® Suculentas, applied once a month when watering.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a high-tech square pot, with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
10x10 cm 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.
