This Low-Growing Succulent Brings Green to Dry Yards
The stems of Euphorbia resinifera add an interesting texture to arid gardens and container plantings
Noelle Johnson
January 6, 2017
Resin spurge (Euphorbia resinifera) is one of several euphorbia species that add unique beauty and texture to dry gardens. This succulent ground cover slowly spreads out by forming additional four-sided fleshy stems. Whether planted in a group of three or singly next to a boulder, resin spurge has numerous design applications in drought-tolerant gardens. Able to grow outdoors all year in Zone 9 and above, resin spurge also makes a great container plant that can be brought inside in winter in cooler regions. As with most succulents, resin spurge thrives on neglect, doing well in full sun or filtered shade and requiring very little supplemental water.
Resin spurge grows in front of desert marigold at the Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden in Arizona.
Botanical name: Euphorbia resinifera
Common names: Resin spurge, Moroccan mound
Origin: Native to the mountainous regions of Morocco
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 9; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun or filtered shade
Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide
Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant
When to plant: Spring and fall; can be planted in winter in frost-free zones or started indoors in colder climates; grow from transplants or cuttings
Botanical name: Euphorbia resinifera
Common names: Resin spurge, Moroccan mound
Origin: Native to the mountainous regions of Morocco
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 9; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun or filtered shade
Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide
Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant
When to plant: Spring and fall; can be planted in winter in frost-free zones or started indoors in colder climates; grow from transplants or cuttings
A group of resin spurge grows in front of golden barrel cactuses (Echinocactus grusonii) and a yucca.
Distinguishing traits. Individual stems fan out from the base of resin spurge and slowly multiply as the succulent spreads outward. The stems have four distinctive margins where small thorns are located.
The tips of this euphorbia may produce tiny yellow flowers in spring in mild climates, such as in coastal regions of California. In desert areas, flowering usually doesn’t occur, but that doesn’t take away from the unique beauty of this succulent and its upright stems.
Distinguishing traits. Individual stems fan out from the base of resin spurge and slowly multiply as the succulent spreads outward. The stems have four distinctive margins where small thorns are located.
The tips of this euphorbia may produce tiny yellow flowers in spring in mild climates, such as in coastal regions of California. In desert areas, flowering usually doesn’t occur, but that doesn’t take away from the unique beauty of this succulent and its upright stems.
How to use it. This spurge can be used in the same way that typical ground covers are. For a dramatic effect, plant it in groups of three in the filtered shade underneath a desert tree such as ‘Desert Museum’ palo verde (Parkinsonia x ‘Desert Museum’) or ironwood (Olneya tesota).
Create an eye-catching contrast of textures by planting resin spurge alongside boulders. Succulent plants with a fan-shaped growth habit like Mexican grass tree (Dasylirion quadrangulatum) and octopus agave (Agave vilmoriniana) look great alongside this euphorbia species.
For more contemporary designs, plant in single or staggered rows in front of a columnar cactus, such as Mexican organpipe cactus (Stenocereus marginatus) or Peruvian apple cactus (Cereus repandus).
Create an eye-catching contrast of textures by planting resin spurge alongside boulders. Succulent plants with a fan-shaped growth habit like Mexican grass tree (Dasylirion quadrangulatum) and octopus agave (Agave vilmoriniana) look great alongside this euphorbia species.
For more contemporary designs, plant in single or staggered rows in front of a columnar cactus, such as Mexican organpipe cactus (Stenocereus marginatus) or Peruvian apple cactus (Cereus repandus).
Resin spurge also makes a great container plant.
Planting notes. The needs of resin spurge are few, but it must be planted in well-drained soil. It can handle areas with full sun or light, filtered shade. Other than being watered once or twice during summer, resin spurge requires very little supplemental water once established.
Resin spurge surrounds a Peruvian apple cactus (Cereus repandus), along with soap aloe (Aloe maculata) with its colorful flowers.
Resin spurge is most often propagated by stem cuttings, and it is easy to create multiple plants from a single specimen. Simply cut a stem at the base and set it aside in a dry, shady spot for a week. This will allow the bottom to dry out, which will prevent the stem cutting from rotting in the new soil. After a week, plant where desired.
Caution: Be careful when pruning or handling these plants, as they have a milky white sap that is toxic. Wear gloves and goggles when pruning to avoid contact with the sap.
More
A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Succulents
10 Succulents That Make Pretty, Easy-Care Ground Covers
Resin spurge is most often propagated by stem cuttings, and it is easy to create multiple plants from a single specimen. Simply cut a stem at the base and set it aside in a dry, shady spot for a week. This will allow the bottom to dry out, which will prevent the stem cutting from rotting in the new soil. After a week, plant where desired.
Caution: Be careful when pruning or handling these plants, as they have a milky white sap that is toxic. Wear gloves and goggles when pruning to avoid contact with the sap.
More
A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Succulents
10 Succulents That Make Pretty, Easy-Care Ground Covers
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I like this! Wonder if it could be kept inside year round in Southern Nevada?
Mine are turning yellowish. Too much sun here in hot, summer Tucson?