Euphorbia lactea variegata are yet another beautiful plant you can find in the succulent’s world. They could thrive well on their own.
If you care for them too much, it could also result in the death of the plants. Having said that, Euphorbia lactea variegata are versatile and hardy plants and even a beginner in succulent gardening could consider growing the Euphorbia lactea variegata plants.
If you already own a Euphorbia lactea variegata plant wondering how to look after them well and how to propagate them, this article is for you.
How do I identify euphorbia lactea variegata?
Euphorbia lactea variegata plants would grow up to a height of 15 feet when they grow in their natural habitat, having said that when you grow them as houseplants, they will grow up to 1-2 feet only.
You could identify them from their spiny stems and from their mottled branches. They would be green in color and further could be spotted with white lines as well.
They will usually form small leaves in summer. However, they will tend to drop them faster which will result in a leafless plant.
they will release a toxic latex when they are cut, hence be careful when interacting with these plants. It could be poisonous for you.
Size of the plant
They would usually rise to 15 feet when they grow in the wild. However, they will reach a maximum height of 1-2 feet when you grow them as houseplants.
Growth rate
Euphorbia lactea variegata usually grows at a moderate rate.
One look care guide
| Botanical Name | Euphorbia lactea variegata |
| Common Name | Euphorbia lactea variegata |
| Plant Type | Succulent / Cactus |
| Mature Size | Maximum height of 1-2 feet when you grow them as houseplants. |
| Sun Exposure | Full sunlight to shade |
| Soil Type | Well-draining , Sandy |
| Hardiness Zones | USDA hardiness zones 10a-11b. (30 degrees Fahrenheit ( -1.1 degrees Celsius) to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). |
| Native Area | Mexico |
| Toxicity | Toxic |
| Average price | $ 13 |
How do you take care of euphorbia lactea variegata?
Light Requirement
Euphorbia lactea variegata requires typical requirements when it comes to light requirements. As such when you grow them as indoor plants, you may place them closer to a bright sunny window.
Ideally, they will require bright indirect sunlight to grow vigorously. Generally they will survive well with four or more indirect bright sunlight.
When you grow them in your garden, you could plant them in a spot where they can gain both sunlight and shade.
Temperature and humidity
Euphorbia lactea variegata plants prefer to grow in warmer temperature levels just like the other succulents and cactus in general.
In fact, a temperature level of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit would perfectly fit them. They can handle colder temperatures to some extent too.
Is it cold hardy?
Euphorbia lactea variegata are cold hardy up to -2 degrees Celsius.
USDA hardiness Zone
Euphorbia lactea variegata are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 10a-11b.
Watering Requirement
Euphorbia lactea variegata requires only a limited amount of water to perform well. However, when you water them during summer, you should water them more often without letting it be bone dry.
This literally means you should not leave the soil mix in a wet soil mix at any given point of time. Further it should not be crackly and chalky too. If you provide the Euphorbia lactea variegata plants with inadequate levels of sunlight, you will see how they become shriveled.
When watering the Euphorbia lactea variegata in fall, you should do it less often than what you do in summer.
Literally you need to let the soil become bone dry during winter and fall. To do that, you could simply place a saucer with water under your potted plant and let them suck all the water until it finishes.
Soil Requirement Type / pH
One of the key factors when growing the Euphorbia lactea variegata is having a good drainage in the soil mix simply because they are drought tolerant plants.
Literally when you grow them in a well-draining soil mix, it will ensure a fast draining of the soil mix and there will be no excess moisture retaining in the soil mix.
If you grow them in a regular soil mix, it will leave the plant roots in waterlogged conditions and cause for root rot.
Hence why it is important to grow them in a potting medium which has excellent drainage. Ideally you may go ahead and plant them in succulent soil mix or in a cactus soil mix.
Pot size Potting and Repotting
Euphorbia lactea variegata would prefer to have a clay pot as they are porous material. When you grow them in a porous material it will help the excess moisture to evaporate faster. Instead of a clay pot, you may also use a terracotta pot.
When it comes to repotting, you may do it only if it is essential. Literally, when you freshly purchase them, you could consider repotting them. However, when repotting, you may continue with the general practices of what you do with the other succulents in general.
Where to Plant
You need to plant them in a location where they can absorb sufficient sunlight levels.
In addition to that, as aforesaid, you need to go ahead with the pot type which is explained above and grow them in a well-draining soil mix too. As long as you provide these conditions, they could grow well.
Fertilizer and time of year
Euphorbia lactea variegata can perform well whether you feed them or not. Having said that, if you feed them, their growth of the plants would be benefited from that.
You could use a weak liquid fertilizer to feed them and consider applying them during their active growing phase. Usually, you need to feed the indoor grown Euphorbia lactea variegata more when compared to outdoor grown Euphorbia lactea variegata.
Dormancy
Euphorbia lactea variegata could go dormant during winter.
Toxicity
Euphorbia lactea variegata could be toxic as they contain a poisonous latex, and it could be irritant to pets and for humans as well.
Hence, make sure that you are wearing protective gloves when interacting with the plants. In case you get in contact with this toxin, you need to wash it off as soon as possible.
Do not ever try to touch your eyes as that sap could create irritations in your eyes. Chances are that it could even make you temporarily blind.
Further it could result in digestive issues as well. Hence best is to leave these plants at distance from both your kids and from your pets as well.
Common bugs and illnesses
Euphorbia lactea variegata are usually resistant to pests and for diseases as well. However, they may still come across pests’ invasions from mealybugs, and from spider mites.
These pests usually make the plant weak, and chances are that it may even kill your plants. It is vital that you identify these problems well in advance so that you could treat them and overcome them faster.
To treat them, you may use an insecticidal soap or neem oil.
In addition to that, Euphorbia lactea variegata may also suffer from root rot as well. Over watering and soggy soil conditions contribute to this condition. To avoid this condition, it is crucial that you practice a proper watering method.
Special Care tips
Euphorbia lactea variegata can grow to their fullest on their own and they do not require any special care treatment from you.
You only need to supply their main necessities so that they can grow healthily and vigorously.
How to propagate euphorbia lactea variegata
You may either use their cuttings or grafts to propagate the plants. Generally the Euphorbia canariensis is used for the grafting process of these plants.
However, if you wish to use the cuttings to propagate them, you could do it in spring or in summer so that you can rely on the success of the propagation process.
Once you obtain the cuttings you could dip them in a rooting hormone powder and let them develop callus for a few weeks. Next, you could pot them. Suspend watering them until the rooting takes place.
Read Next : Euphorbia Watering | 16 Facts You Must Know |
