The triangular spurge (Euphorbia trigona) originally comes from Africa and can grow up to 2 meters high in the wild. In this country, the plant is usually cultivated as a houseplant in a pot and is one of the most popular Euphorbia species for cultivation in the home.
How do you properly care for the triangular spurge?
Triangular spurge (Euphorbia trigona) care includes sparing watering when the substrate has dried, occasional repotting in loamy soil, moderate fertilization during the growth phase and overwintering at 10-15 degrees Celsius. Wear gloves as the plant sap is toxic and irritating to the skin.
How often does the triangular spurge need to be watered?
This plant species is rarely damaged by excessive drought; the opposite is the case. You should never water a potted columnar euphorbia before the top layer of substrate in the pot has completely dried out. In general, you should only water very sparingly, as excessive moisture can cause massive damage to the plant.
What should you consider when repotting this plant?
The cactus-like Euphorbia trigona generally grows relatively slowly and therefore does not need to be repotted too often. You can easily mix the substrate that is compatible with the plants yourself if you don't want to use commercially available succulent soil. To do this, the following ingredients are mixed:
- Soil with clay content
- Peat
- some quartz sand
- Pumice gravel or lavalite from the garden supply store
Make sure to injure the plant's delicate roots as little as possible when repotting and not to come into contact with the plant's poisonous sap.
When and how can the triangular spurge be cut?
Pruning is not absolutely necessary for this plant, but it can be useful as a care measure to specifically encourage branching of the columnar growing plant. Cuttings can also be cut relatively easily and placed in moderately moist substrate after a few days of drying time.
What pests can threaten the he alth of this Euphorbia species?
So-called mealybugs occasionally settle on the columnar euphorbia, but they can easily be rendered harmless using commercially available products.
Are there diseases that can be dangerous for triangular spurge?
Like other succulents, triangular spurge is generally not threatened by any specific diseases. Only waterlogging or a location that is too dark can significantly affect plant he alth.
What should you consider when fertilizing this type of plant?
During the light-rich growth phase, this type of plant can be fertilized moderately about once a month. The fertilizer ration should be in a certain relationship to the size of the plant and pot so that individual fertilizer components cannot accumulate in the substrate in harmful concentrations.
How do you get a triangular spurge optimally through the winter?
This plant is an uncomplicated houseplant all year round in this country that copes quite well with consistently warm temperatures. If there is sufficient brightness, overwintering at temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius is also possible.
Tip
Always wear gloves when carrying out all work such as propagating cuttings or pruning, as the milky plant sap is not only poisonous, but can also be extremely irritating to the skin when touched.
