Name: Euphorbia milii aka crown of thorns

Type of Plant: A thorny, woody plant that is commonly sold as a houseplant in all parts of North America. Some have green leaves and others are variegated.

Why I love this plant: Sweet, cheerful flowers for most of the year…and it’s easy to keep alive. What’s not to love? Where it is hardy (Zones 9-11) it grows into a shrub that’s 3 to 5 feet tall and about 3 feet wide. This Euphorbia is drought tolerant and where it survives outdoors it blooms best in winter and spring. Indoors, however, this plant can be in flower almost all year round.

A Word to the Wise: Put this plant outdoors during the summer in a sun to part-sun situation. I’ve grown it where it gets morning sun and it thrives. Fertilize regularly but with low doses…water when dry.

Like many Euphorbias this one has sap that can irritate the skin, so wear gloves when transplanting, especially if you have especially sensitive skin.

aka crown of thorns

Type of Plant: A thorny, woody plant that is commonly sold as a houseplant in all parts of North America. Some have green leaves and others are variegated.

Why I love this plant: Sweet, cheerful flowers for most of the year…and it’s easy to keep alive. What’s not to love? Where it is hardy (Zones 9-11) it grows into a shrub that’s 3 to 5 feet tall and about 3 feet wide. This Euphorbia is drought tolerant and where it survives outdoors it blooms best in winter and spring. Indoors, however, this plant can be in flower almost all year round.

A Word to the Wise: Put this plant outdoors during the summer in a sun to part-sun situation. I’ve grown it where it gets morning sun and it thrives. Fertilize regularly but with low doses…water when dry.

Like many Euphorbias this one has sap that can irritate the skin, so wear gloves when transplanting, especially if you have especially sensitive skin.

This Euphorbia milli has variegated leaves, flowers almost 12 months a year and is easy to keep alive.

The cute flowers are small and almost button-like. You can find this Euphorbia in garden centers and it can have bright orange flowers, but also yellow and red.