Is this the way it is supposed to look? I think it is sickly with only a little top growth? It actually looks worse since I took this photo with top growth on only two stems. Is this under-watering? ( I am often guilty of that )

It seems ok to me, that is very typical growth (unless there is something wrong with leaves - but can't tell from your photo). They do not keep leaves along stems. Amending MG soil for better drainage would be advisable - MG is known for poor drainage, and lots of peat. It isn't easy to keep "just right".

Thank you. I thought it should be more "lush". I'll check the drainage.

Thanks for starting the responses Rina.

It's personal taste really the shape of the plant, this is a scrappy plant which can grow vigorously, getting tall & gangly, & can use cutting back or pruning.

Grow do you mean more lush, like bushier? If so, that requires cutting back.

I too would have amended the soil w/ at least 50% Perlite so it's super fast draining & you can water deeply.

These are deceptively thirsty plants, amend your soil as suggested. Start watering more often & more deeply, 'til it runs out the bottom. Also add a pebble tray to allow for more moisture, it MAY get fuller & bloom more often. They can also benefit from some fertilizer.

Years ago I was advised about these Euphorbia milii plants: give them more water & more fertilizer than you normally would think to give a succulent & it'll do great!

Shot for the blooms, not the leaves, but still.

I’m glad to read this as I have a rangy one too. Helpful.

I think you should put your plant outside during the summer. The fresh air might do it some good. Also, good drainage is a must. I recommend repotting it at least every two years as well, and check the roots, if you want to grow it indoors. The roots need to spread out if you want it to be bushier.

I personally do not have experience growing this in pots, but I do have it in my front yard in Los Angeles, in addition to my patio area in Cathedral City.

Lars is showing very nice plant, grown in ground. Also agree with keeping it outside during warm months, it is really best for plants - if you can. There are also few varieties of it, and many branch more. Mine is in pot, stems are over 4' tall, and mostly naked...leaves on top mostly. It blooms constantly - never seen it without flowers since I have it (2012).

Putting it outdoors is tough here in the frozen north. I will give it a try in June-July-August though.

I am in the 'frozen north' too :) Not sue where you are, but it is still too cold for plants - and garden - here in Ontario, Canada.

My succulents go all outside, as soon as nighttime temps stay about 10*C. Many succulents could take even lower temps, but I just haul all of them outdoors at the same time. Usually, it is toward end of May, you just have to watch temps. They stay outdoors, most in full sun, until Oct or Nov - that depends, again, on temps. Plants love it and me too :) I wish I could leave them all outside year-round :)

How far north are you? If you are in one of the prairie provinces or British Columbia, you might need grow lights to help the plant during the winter. I think it likes to get a lot of sun. Mine get quite a bit of sun even in the winter.

Lars is right about them needing a lot of sun, really strong, direct light is what they need. Even in Winter I get it, as I'm lucky to have unobstructed windows facing west.

Lars

Not sure who you are asking (I am about 100 km north of Toronto)...I keep my succulents under lights during winter, and in full sun outdoors, during warm months.

I am using a greenhouse style window area that is part of a circular staircase enclosure. It's tall windows face East, West and South. It is blindingly bright in there. It is very hot in the summer and I open the windows on the second floor to vent some of that heat out.

I have a crown of thrones that was gorgeous in summer but after a couple freeze nights (covered carefully) couple stems soft? What can I do? Gulf coast. Ready to clean up and add new soil.

Thank you
Paula