Euphorbia flower propagation. How to care for milkweed in a pot at home? Reproduction of indoor spurge flower

Euphorbia has a huge variety of species. Its genus is represented by annual and perennial herbs, shrubs and trees. The height of some is limited to a few centimeters, while others grow to two-meter giants. There are plants with straight ascending stems strewn with thorns, and others without them. What all plants have in common is the milky juice that comes out of the cuts. It is mainly an inhabitant of tropical countries - Africa and Asia, the Mediterranean and America, as well as southern Russia.

Varieties and types of plants

The Euphorbiaceae family is represented by approximately 800−2 thousand species. Only a few are suitable for growing in open ground. In most cases, the shoot is purchased as an indoor flower.

The most interesting varieties representing the family:

Some of the amateur flower growers individual species Milkweed is classified as a cactus. This is due to their great external similarity. However, according to botanical data, euphorbium, which belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, is not related to cacti.

The plant is valued by flower growers not only because of its unusual decorative appearance, but also because of the ease of caring for it when grown at home. The plant is distinguished by its unpretentiousness to living conditions. But it should be protected from exposure to drafts and too much soil moisture.

It is prepared from the following components:

• leaf soil, humus, sand (in proportions 2:3:2);
• turf, sand, turf (in equal quantities).

The bottom of the pot should be covered with a drainage layer of pebbles or expanded clay.

• Frequency of fertilizing and fertilizing. You should care for the plant and feed the shoot in spring and summer, once during the growing season, after watering. It is better to feed flowering plants with potassium fertilizers. It is not recommended to fertilize during the autumn-winter period.
• Watering frequency. Soil moistening should occur in accordance with the following scheme:

1. In summer: once every 7 days.
2. In winter: the number of waterings is reduced to once a month.
3. At low temperatures (up to +12 C): watering should be stopped.

Moisturizing dry soil should begin gradually, with small portions of water. When hot days arrive, the plant must be sprayed.

Some species can be kept in a room with a temperature of +4 to +6 C. Under such conditions, the place where the flower is kept should be well lit.

• Lighting. Most species are sun-loving. Exposure to direct sunlight also has a beneficial effect on their development. Some, such as poinsettias and milkweed, prefer indirect light.

Shoot growth is also possible in a dark place. But this leads to the leaves losing brightness and contrast. Species with variegated leaves under such conditions lose their unusual color and begin to look dull.

• Trimming procedure. Anti-aging pruning is performed in the middle summer period, after the plant blooms.

The procedure is intended for the following:

• removing dried stems;
• shortening elongated shoots.

While milkweed is in bloom, pruning should not be done. Therefore, flowering species remain with young shoots.

Formative pruning corrects not only the crown. To give the milkweed the shape of a dense bush, at the end of winter you should get rid of all the shoots. The plant will not bloom in the year of pruning, but in the future there will be twice as many flowers.

Reproduction methods

Plant propagation is possible in three ways:

• seeds;
• cuttings;
• dividing the bush.

The most accessible and easy-to-care method of propagation is vegetative. The seeds are mainly used for growing spherical forms that cannot be propagated by cuttings. Seedlings of some species, for example, garden milkweed, can only be obtained by isolating root shoots.

Growing from seeds

Euphorbia can be grown from self-collected seeds. To do this, the pods are placed inside a fabric bag to prevent the ripened seeds from scattering. Placed inside a paper envelope, they can be stored for a maximum of one year. But it is better to use freshly harvested seeds.

Germination is carried out on a substrate prepared by mixing peat with sand. To disinfect, the soil should be calcined in the oven. After this, the seeds, soaked in water one day before planting, are placed wet in a specially prepared hole in the soil.

Using plastic film, cover the crops and leave them in a warm room.

Reproduction by cuttings

It is carried out using shoots or leaves of the plant. The procedure should be carried out in the autumn.

The process of propagation by shoot consists of the following steps:

Until the planting material takes root, it should be kept covered with a polyethylene cap. During this period, the soil must be constantly moist. Exposure to direct sunlight is undesirable.

The propagation procedure by leaf cuttings is carried out wearing protective gloves and consists of the following steps:

• pinching off a leaf with a cutting;
• waiting for the milky juice to finish flowing;
• processing the cut with a stimulator;
• planting in moist soil;
• covering the planting with transparent material.

Care activities consist of daily airing and regular watering.

New shoots from a divided bush

Dividing the bush is carried out on a plant that is at rest. To do this, taking it out of the pot, divide the rhizome into several parts. When inspecting the planting material, there should be no rotting areas on it. If present, they should be removed until healthy tissue appears. The process ends with planting the divisions in separate pots.

Not proper care threatens with diseases and loss of decorative appearance. Yellowing and falling leaves, the appearance of rotten areas on the stem and roots are caused by improper watering, lack of light or nutrition, temperature changes and drafts.

The appearance of black and brown spots indicates that the plant is infected with a fungal disease. It is better to fight it with a solution of fungicides.

Healing properties of the plant

With the help of milkweed you can get rid of fungal skin infections, forget about warts, eczema and lichens.

The roots are used to combat stomach disorders. Boiled raw materials should be consumed 1 tablespoon shortly before meals. This remedy also fights liver diseases. The use of alcohol tincture helps to resist cystitis and frequent headaches.

The danger posed by indoor spurge

The milky sap secreted by the plant is highly toxic. Its poison, upon contact with it, can lead to poisoning, irritation and burns of the skin and gastric mucosa. Therefore, milkweed should be kept in a place inaccessible to children and pets.

To care for the plant, pruning and replanting, you should stock up on protective gloves. If juice comes into contact with an unprotected area of ​​skin, this area should be immediately rinsed with running water.

Attention, TODAY only!

The variety of milkweed species is simply endless. This poisonous plant today it is an inhabitant of many window sills. By providing your indoor spurge plant with proper care, you can admire the flower on your window for many years.

Euphorbia - nuances of growing

Due to the fact that the plant is poisonous, certain nuances must be taken into account when growing it. So, when caring for milkweed, you need to wear rubber gloves. It is also unacceptable for the plant to be accessible to small children who are eager to try everything. If you have pets, they must also be protected from the flower. Don’t forget that milkweed has no place in the kitchen, like all other poisonous crops.

Caring for the plant is very simple, which is why it is one of the most common indoor flowers. If you follow safety rules, you don’t have to worry about milkweed causing harm.

Home care

For all its external decorativeness, this flower is so easy to care for that even a novice gardener who has absolutely no experience in growing indoor plants can handle it. Euphorbia is not demanding of light. In good light, the flower grows much better, but it does not wither in the shade and continues to develop, albeit somewhat more slowly. Caring for the plant at home is worth considering in detail.

Replanting after purchase

Euphorbia is replanted in the spring. If the plant was purchased in a container intended for transportation, then it must be moved to a high-quality pot as soon as possible, regardless of the time of year. This condition is mandatory, since spurge is not able to remain in such a pot for a long time and, despite its unpretentiousness, can die.

Soil requirement

The substrate has great importance for the quality development of the plant. You should choose loose soil for it that is well permeable to water and does not disturb root respiration. You need to purchase special soil for succulents or cacti. If necessary, you can prepare the soil yourself.

To do this, the following components are used in a 2:3:3 ratio:

• leaf soil;
• humus;
• sand.

A drainage layer must be laid at the bottom of the pot, since silting leads to the death of the plant. Expanded clay, brick fragments or large pebbles are used for the drainage layer.

Feeding and fertilizers

Feeding spurge is required only during the active growing season. which occurs during the warm season. Fertilizers are applied once every 30 days after watering the milkweed. The plant should be fed only with potassium fertilizers. Organic matter should not be added to the crop. In autumn and winter, the flower is dormant, and feeding is not only unnecessary, but also harmful. Like most succulents, milkweed can grow in fairly poor soil.

Watering

The plant must be watered according to certain rules, since waterlogging the soil is extremely dangerous and can lead to death.

In hot weather, spurge should be sprayed once a day using a spray bottle with warm, settled water. Watering in the spring and summer months is carried out once a week. After the plant goes dormant, the soil is moistened only once a month.

If the temperature in the room where the spurge overwinters drops below +12 degrees, watering must be stopped completely, as the plant may simply rot in the wet soil.

After the flower has not been watered for a long time and the soil has become very dry, moisture must be restored gradually. Over the course of several days, a little warm, settled water is poured into the pot, doubling the portion each time. Once the soil is well saturated, you can begin watering as usual. If you pour a lot of water at once, the roots may choke, since after a long period of rest and lack of water they do not have the opportunity to immediately begin to normally absorb liquid and restore high-quality respiration in the wet layer.

Optimal temperature and humidity

For a flower, standard room temperature is optimal. During warm periods, it is very useful to take the plant out into the fresh air. It is necessary to return the flower indoors as soon as the air temperature outside drops below +15 degrees.

Some species of milkweed can tolerate temperatures as low as +5 degrees, but they are not very common. Among indoor plant lovers, mostly heat-loving varieties are grown in apartments. The flower tolerates dry air well.

Trimming

Euphorbia pruning is only required for rejuvenation purposes and for plants that are already quite old. It is carried out in the middle of summer after the milkweed has bloomed.

During such pruning, which must be performed with gloves, the following actions are carried out:

• cutting dried stems;
• shortening overly elongated stems.

If the plant is a flowering species, then all young shoots must be left intact in order for the spurge to bloom the next season. If the plant is not flowering, then young shoots can also be shortened.

The next year after pruning, the plant blooms 2 times more profusely and actively gains a mass of young shoots, which makes the flower look very decorative.

Reproduction of indoor spurge flower

Reproduction of the plant is not difficult.

You can propagate a flower in three ways:

• seeds;
• cuttings (including leaves);
• division.

The easiest way to grow plants is from seeds, which is why this method is of interest when growing crops.

The seeds are collected using a fabric bag. The pods are isolated so that when the seeds open, they do not spill out onto the soil, from which it will be impossible to collect them. They can be stored in a paper bag for a maximum of 12 months.

They are sown in moist soil for milkweed and, covering the container with them in a bag, they are left to germinate, regularly moistening the soil.

When propagated by cuttings, leaves or shoots are used, which are cut at an angle. Afterwards, they are immersed in warm water for several minutes in order to stop the secretion of milky juice, and, having sprinkled the cut area with crushed coal, they are planted in wet soil. Until rooting, the plant is kept under a plastic bag.

Dividing the bush is carried out only when the plant is very large. During the dormant period, it is removed from the pot and the rhizome is divided into several parts, which are planted in separate pots. The method is quite risky and therefore not recommended for use.

Diseases and pests

Plant diseases occur due to improper care. If the milkweed begins to rot, this means that the care is incorrect. Rot also appears if the spurge is constantly exposed to cold drafts. The most common disease is gray mold. Leaves fall off if the plant lacks moisture.

The main pests that pose a danger are:

• mealybug;
• spider mite;
• root mealybug;
• Scale insects are the main reason why leaves turn yellow.

Why is the poisonous milkweed flower dangerous?

The danger of the plant lies in its milky sap. The milky sap of milkweed ranks first among all plant poisons, which should not be forgotten when growing plants in the house.

Every gardener should know why the poisonous spurge flower is dangerous.

When it comes into contact with the skin, a severe burn occurs, which is accompanied by severe inflammation, and in case of allergies, ulcers also form. Juice, if it gets on the skin, should be washed off immediately cold water, and then apply ice to the affected area. It would not be a bad idea to take an antiallergic drug.

If the juice gets into the eyes, the cornea of ​​the eye is damaged. Because of this, even with timely treatment, the risk of developing irreversible blindness is high.

If the juice gets into the mouth and is swallowed, severe intoxication of the body will develop. This requires urgent medical attention.

Can I keep it at home?

You can keep milkweed in the house, but only if you remember its characteristics and follow safety rules. Violation threatens with serious consequences. If it is not possible to ensure that milkweed is not accessible to children and pets, then it is better to refuse to purchase the plant.

Before introducing milkweed into your home, you need to think about it so as not to take risks. Whether it is possible to keep milkweed in the house, including white-veined (the most poisonous), depends on specific conditions.

Euphorbia (Euphorbia) is an unusual plant, represented by more than 1,500 species. It belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Euphorbia grows in Africa, Asia and America. Euphorbia is considered a tropical plant. There are a huge number of flower types, and most importantly, they all differ in shape, leaves and inflorescences. It is for this reason that it is difficult to give the flower a specific description, since all subspecies and varieties are not similar to each other.

The photo shows an average spurge in a pot

These plants can be annual or perennial. Some resemble cacti in appearance and have many needles on the leaves. The stem is usually straight and grows tall, although there are species that have no stem at all. The shape of the leaves is striking in its diversity: large, small, oblong, with and without spines. Some species have lush blooms, while others have very small flowers or do not bloom at all.
Euphorbia can be represented by a shrub, an indoor flower, a garden plant in the form of grass, and even trees.

Plant properties

This is what milkweed juice looks like

The most important property that unites all types and subspecies of this flower is the presence of milky juice. The juice is released when cut and, as a rule, has White color. The properties of such juice have been known since ancient times. Euphorbia received its second name “euphorbia” in honor of the healer Euphorbus. It was he who studied this plant and developed recipes from milkweed for the treatment of various diseases.

In front of everyone beneficial properties euphorbia, it is necessary to remember that the juice without special treatment is a toxic substance that can cause burns on the skin. In ancient times, the juice of some species of milkweed was used to lubricate arrowheads to increase the chances of killing an enemy. This plant also poses a great danger to animals.

Euphorbia is often used in landscape design, because proper pruning of the flower allows it to be shaped in any desired way. It complements and decorates gardens, open greenhouses, and home interiors well.

Decorating your landscape with milkweed is a great idea!

Plant Care Guide

Euphorbia is considered an undemanding plant, so even novice gardeners can care for and grow it. Many garden species of this plant tolerate winter well, remaining in the soil until spring.
For the successful life of a flower, it is important to comply with two basic conditions:

1. Protect spurge from drafts. Despite all the unpretentiousness of the flower, it does not tolerate drafts and can die if not maintained properly. Try to choose a secluded place on your windowsill if you are growing a flower at home.
2. Ensure moderate watering of the plant. Excessive water can destroy the root system of a flower, so it is necessary to water it according to the season.

If you adhere to these nuances, then spurge will always delight you with its bright green and flowering, if the selected species is capable of it.

Under favorable conditions, spurge blooms. And how!

Important: Whenever working with a flower, take precautions. Pricks from milkweed needles and thorns can be poisonous, and the sap causes burns. When interacting with the flower, wear gloves that will protect your skin.

Required lighting

Euphorbia is classified as a light-loving plant, so when growing it at home, it is worth determining the location of the flower on the south or southeast side. The flower tolerates even direct sunlight, but during the day it is still worth protecting the plant from excessive sun. Some species, such as “Mil”, “Palassa”, “white-veined”, can get burned if the window is not shaded summer time.

IN winter time year, euphorbia needs additional lighting in the form of special ultraviolet light lamps.

Euphorbia will not die due to lack of sunlight, but if grown in the shade, its leaves will lose their rich green color and become dull.

Temperature

Euphorbia originally grew in hot countries, so the plant can safely be called heat-loving. Some types of milkweed can withstand severe cold temperatures down to +6 degrees. The temperature regime largely depends on the periods of rest and activity of the flower. For clarity, we present information about the temperature of milkweed in this table:

The preferred temperature regime depends on the variety of milkweed, but minor temperature changes during the day do not adversely affect this flower.

Advice: If possible, in the summer you should take the flower out onto the loggia or into the garden. Fresh air, warmth and a large number of bright light will benefit milkweed.

Watering

For irrigation, the water should be settled in advance. The water should not be cold; it is preferable to water the spurge with warm water or at least at room temperature.

Moderate watering is very important for the plant, since excess water content in the soil will damage the root system of the flower. In summer, milkweed is watered once a week, and if the plant looks like a cactus, then once every two to three weeks. During particularly hot periods, spurge is sprayed if you planted the leafy variety. Before each subsequent watering, the soil should be dry. Excess water in the pan must be drained immediately. In winter, that is, during the dormant period of the flower, watering is reduced even more or stopped altogether.

Tip: If you forgot to stand the water in advance, you can simply boil it in a kettle and cool it. After this, water the flower. Another way out of this situation is to use a filter to purify water.

Humidity

Euphorbia tolerates dry climates well. The preferred air humidity for this plant is 40-50%. If your milkweed variety is similar to a cactus, then air humidity does not matter much to it, but the best option dry air remains. This plant does not like abundant moisture, so it is recommended to remove dust from its leaves with a dry brush.

The soil

Soil for milkweed can be purchased ready-made in the store. Opt for soil for succulent plants. If you couldn’t find one, then soil for cacti is quite suitable.
If you are not lucky enough to purchase a ready-made mixture for planting your plant, then you should prepare the future soil yourself. There are two main compositions of soil for milkweed:

• Mix leaf soil and sand in equal proportions. A third of the total mass should be humus. Move well. Leaf soil is loose soil that is formed as a result of humus of fallen leaves. Manure is often used as humus. You can buy it ready-made in the store.
• Another way to prepare soil for milkweed is to mix equal proportions of turf and sand.

Most often, a flower has to be replanted after purchase, so you need to find out about the soil and the rules for this process in advance.

Important: Do not forget about high-quality drainage for the flower. At the bottom of the pot you need to place small pebbles or expanded clay.

Transfer

It is advisable to replant the plant in the spring. This way the milkweed quickly adapts to new conditions and recovers as quickly as possible. What to do if you purchased milkweed at another time of year?

There are several situations when transplantation cannot be delayed until spring. Let's consider the following cases:

• Initially, you bought milkweed in a container not intended for subsequent cultivation. For example, this could be a shipping container.
• The soil that is in the pot after purchase contains growth stimulants, which means that it is not suitable for subsequent maintenance of the flower.

Euphorbia should be replanted very carefully, transferring it from one pot to another. Root system These plants have very delicate tissue, so rough handling can easily damage it. Let's consider a few basic rules for planting and replanting milkweed:

• It is better to carry out the procedure in the spring, during the growing season of the plant.
• The soil must be prepared in advance. If you are not sure about the quality of the soil, then water it with potassium permanganate before planting. This way you will carry out a small disinfection of the soil.
• Replanting must be done once every two years. Pay attention to the roots. If there is not enough room for the roots in the pot, then the plant needs to be replanted.
• After transplanting, the spurge should be watered with settled warm water.

Important: Do not forget about the drainage layer at the bottom of the pot. In its absence, the plant will rot.

Video on the topic:

Choosing a pot

For milkweed you need a deep pot, preferably with thick walls. When replanting, you should choose a pot two to three centimeters larger than the previous one.

Tip: Do not plant a plant in a pot “to grow,” that is, larger than necessary. This can cause rotting of the root system.

Top dressing

During the growing season, namely in spring and summer, milkweed needs feeding. You can buy this nutrient mixture at a succulent store or prepare it yourself. The recipe for homemade feeding for milkweed looks like this:

Mix leaf and garden soil, sand and brick chips in equal proportions. You can add a little birch charcoal.

In spring and summer, spurge is fed once every 2 weeks. In winter, fertilizing is not carried out, since the plant is dormant.

Tip: Do not use nitrogenous fertilizers for fertilizing. They can cause cracks in the stems of milkweed.

Plant pruning

Caring for milkweed also requires annual pruning. This procedure does not apply to all types of milkweed. The most commonly pruned euphorbias are “Mila” and “brilliant”. Pruning is done in mid-summer. Remove any dead stems and trim the tops to form a crown.

Tip: If you want your milkweed to look more well-groomed and bloom profusely, you should remove the shoots in late February or early March. Euphorbia will not bloom in summer, but next year it will become denser and bloom stronger than before.

Milkweed propagation

The photo shows milkweed shoots

Milkweed propagation at home is carried out in the following ways:

• cuttings;
• seeds;
• dividing bushes.

Cuttings

This method is carried out by cutting off the top of the shoot or breaking off a leaf of the plant. For each case there is its own algorithm of actions, namely:

1. Stem cuttings: sections from the upper part of the shoot with leaves are immersed in warm water. Then sprinkle charcoal or ground pepper on the cut area. When a protective film appears on the cut, the cutting is planted in a mixture of peat and sand, treating the root site with a growth stimulant. Then it is watered and covered with film on top. The plant must be placed in a well-lit place and the temperature maintained at about 20 degrees Celsius. In about two weeks, the milkweed will take root.
2. Leaf cuttings: a leaf is plucked from a plant, placed in warm water, sprinkled with a growth stimulant and placed in mineral wool cubes. Then the plant is planted in soil made of coarse sand. Next, the flower is watered and covered with film. After a month, the spurge will take root.

Important: It is necessary to periodically remove the film from the flower to ventilate it. This way you will avoid the formation of fungal diseases in the flower.

Seeds

The seeds are placed in specially prepared soil, which you can make yourself or buy in a store. It is better to place the container with soil and seeds in a well-lit place and keep it moist. The temperature should be about 24-25 degrees Celsius. In two to three months the flower will sprout. As soon as two or three leaves appear, the plant should be transplanted into a pot.

Dividing bushes

The milkweed is taken out of the pot and the roots are carefully inspected, cutting off any rotten or damaged areas. Then use your hands to carefully separate the bushes into pieces. It is advisable to do without a knife in this case. After this, the spurge is planted in the prepared soil. If you couldn’t do without a knife, then you need to sprinkle the cut area with charcoal.

Important: This method of propagation is extremely stressful for the plant. For this reason, it will not grow or bloom profusely for the first two years. Gradually, the milkweed will return to normal and will delight you with its appearance.

Diseases and problems

White plaque. An example of a spider mite!

Example of healthy leaves

The leaves are yellow and fall off. This sign indicates insufficient lighting, excessive watering or low temperature. Drafts can also cause these deviations.

Brown and black spots. This fact is a sign of a fungus. To eliminate it, spray the plant with fungicides.

White coating. This sign indicates a mealybug. These are small bugs that harm the plant. They are collected from milkweed by hand, and then the flower is treated with tincture of garlic, calendula or a soap solution with machine oil.

Small black bugs. Most likely, the plant is affected by aphids. Treat spurge with infusion of garlic, onion or hogweed.

The underside of the leaves has a white coating. This sign indicates the presence of a spider mite. You can remove it by wiping the leaves with alcohol or a soap solution.

Bugs were found on the roots during transplantation. The plant is affected by root worms. In this case, the roots are watered hot water. After transplantation, it is necessary to water the plant for a month with aktara.

Euphorbia, despite the large number of possible diseases, is rarely affected by pests. Compliance with the rules of plant care minimizes the occurrence of such deviations.

The benefits and harms of milkweed

Euphorbia is not only beautiful ornamental plant, striking in its diversity of species, but also useful product. Euphorbia juice has long been used in medicine to treat diseases such as:

• tumors;
• peptic ulcers;
• gastritis.

Some varieties are used in the manufacture of rubber.

Despite all its beneficial properties, pure milkweed juice that has not undergone special processing is a toxic substance, dangerous to animals and people. Contact of juice with skin can cause burns.
It is not recommended to make medicinal products from milkweed at home on your own. If it enters the human body, milkweed juice can cause poisoning or even coma. In medicine, the substance of this plant undergoes serious processing, which removes all toxic substances.

Advice: If milkweed juice does get on your skin while working with the plant, you need to thoroughly rinse the area with water and take an anti-allergy pill. Be sure to use gloves and other protective equipment when handling this plant.

Kinds

1. Euphorbia leuconeura (Euphorbia leuconeura)- this variety came to us from the island of Madagascar. IN wildlife reaches a height of one and a half meters. Externally, the plant resembles a small palm tree. The leaves are more concentrated at the top. The lower leaves gradually die off. The trunk is thick and ribbed. The flower got its name because of the color of the leaves, which are oblong in shape and riddled with white veins. The flowers are small and inconspicuous. After flowering, a capsule is formed, from which the seeds then scatter. The flower loves spraying. It is believed that the presence of this plant in the house brings material well-being and harmony.
2. – This species is native to the island of Madagascar and East Africa. Has a thick stem. In nature it can reach over 20 cm in length. The leaves tend to fall quickly and are ribbed and have spines. Flowering occurs throughout the year. The flowers are small and come in a wide variety of colors from white to pink. When watering, avoid getting water on the leaves and stem. Otherwise, the flower may develop fungal diseases. It is recommended to keep this flower in an apartment or at home, and not in the garden. Or, as an option, the plant is planted on closed terraces to prevent precipitation.
3. Euphorbia trigola– the second name for this type of milkweed is “triangular”. In the wild it can be found in Africa, on the island of Madagascar and in America. Grows in dry hilly areas. It has a thick, fleshy stem. It got its name because of the strongly pronounced three sides on which spines and oblong small leaves grow. It reaches a height of up to 3 meters. Does not bloom indoors. Unpretentious in terms of care.
4. Euphorbia marginata– grows in North America, where it is called "highland snow". The edges of the upper leaves are framed with a white border, which makes the flower visually attractive. Reaches 60-80 cm in height. Flowers small size, white.
5. Euphorbia tirucali- grows in desert areas in Africa. In indoor conditions it reaches a height of one meter. Externally it is a shrub with branches without leaves. Small leaves appear only on young shoots, then they quickly die off. It is recommended to trim the plant periodically.
6. Euphorbia lophogona– the second name of the flower is “ribbed”. The plant is named for the appearance of its trunk. It reaches a height of about 110-120 cm. The birthplace of the flower is the island of Madagascar. The plant is evergreen and flowers. The stem can be vertical or twisted into a spiral. The flowers have a yellow-green tint.
7. Euphorbia splendens- similar to milkweed "Mile". For this reason they are often confused. It reaches a height of about one meter. The leaves are oval. The flowers are inconspicuous, bright red in color. The shoots have thorns.

In conclusion, I would like to note that spurge - interesting plants for any gardener. Due to its unpretentiousness and easy care, it is increasingly becoming popular among indoor plants, and the exotic appearance of the flower and the variety of species allows you to choose the right plant to suit your taste.

Photos of milkweed in the wild

A genus such as spurge (Euphorbia), belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, is one of the most extensive in flora. This genus includes approximately 2000 plant species that can be found in almost every corner of the world. This genus is represented by succulents, annual herbs, shrubs, and “cacti.” Thus, on the territory of Russia in nature you can meet 160 various types milkweed There are also many cultivated species that are successfully grown in garden plots.

Thus, the well-known weed cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) belongs to the genus Euphorbia. It stands out for its densely leafy, delicate stems, which are somewhat similar to larch branches. Griffith's or fire milkweed (Euphorbia griffithii) is becoming increasingly popular with gardeners. This is perennial herbaceous plant is beautifully flowering. Many different species are also grown at home. All these plants are united by one similar feature - the presence of milky juice (which influenced the formation of the name). Often, only by this sign will a person with little understanding of vegetation be able to determine whether there is a spurge in front of him or not.

There is one more characteristic feature in all representatives of this genus. This concerns the shape of the inflorescence. Such an inflorescence has a sympodial growth pattern: the young part, which is very similar to the flower, grows directly from the old one. Each of the “flowers” ​​resembles an unusual alloy, fused from 1 apical petalless pistillate flower, as well as 5 separate stamens (remained from degenerate flowers). This peculiar alloy is surrounded by an involucre of bracts, which also remained from degenerate flowers.

At the end of flowering, a fruit is formed and ripens, which is a three-dimensional box, inside of which there are 3 nut seeds.

Main types

The species described below are the most popular among gardeners and are often grown at home.

White-veined spurge (Euphorbia leuconeura)

He comes from the island of Madagascar. This herbaceous perennial plant natural conditions can reach a height of 1.5 meters. The taproot is deeply buried in the soil. The young stem is solitary, and the older one is weakly branched. The lower cylindrical part of the stem is woody. Higher up, it takes on a pronounced five-rib shape, while rough, rough scars left by fallen leaves are clearly visible on its surface. They are distinguished by brownish oval-shaped pockmarks on the dark green glossy surface of the stem. At the tops of the ribs there is a covering consisting of thick short (about 0.4 centimeters) fibrous brownish fringe. Petiolate alternately arranged leaves grow on the stem in a spiral. They gradually die off and remain only in the apical part. The petioles are greenish-red. The leathery, thick leaves are obovate in shape and reach a length of 15–20 centimeters and a width of 5–8 centimeters. Front side The leaf plate is colored green and has clearly visible whitish veins, and the underside is pale green in color. On small inflorescences there are whitish bracts, which have a tubular base and a flat, wide-open limb, the diameter of which is 8 millimeters.

This is a fast-growing plant that has a tendency to self-sow. Seeds fall in large quantities onto the surface of the substrate in the pot and young seedlings emerge from them fairly quickly. If these seedlings are not removed, they will very soon fill the entire free surface of the soil in the pot.

Ribbed or combed spurge (Euphorbia lophogona)

The homeland of this succulent shrub is Mexico. Both in appearance and in the size of the bush, this species is similar to white-veined milkweed. But in such a plant, although the veins on the leaf blade are clearly visible, they are green in color. And the existing growths on the ribs of the stem are more similar to a flat spiny ridge. The color of the bracts is whitish-pink.

Milkweed (Euphorbia milii)

Which is also called beautiful or shiny milkweed (Euphorbia splendens) - the birthplace of this succulent, highly branched shrub is the island of Madagascar. In nature, such spurge can grow up to 200 centimeters in height. The surface of the stem is lumpy and has a clearly visible grayish tint. It contains a huge number of needles of thick conical spines, which can reach 3 centimeters in length. The short-petiolate leaves have an elliptical or obovate shape, reaching 15 centimeters in width and 3.5 centimeters in length. Over time, the lower leaves die off and remain only on the upper part of the stem. The shape of the bracts is similar to that of the previous type, however, they have a larger bend diameter, which is equal to 12 millimeters. Their color can be different, for example, rich scarlet, white, orange, yellow or pink.

Euphorbia triangular or triangular (Euphorbia trigona)

In nature, it can be found in the arid regions of South-West Africa. This succulent branching shrub can reach a height of 200 centimeters. Its stems are tightly pressed to each other and grow upward exclusively vertically. The succulent, distinctly ribbed stems have 3 flat edges and their diameter is 6 centimeters. At the tops of the ribs there is a huge number of brownish-red claw-shaped spines, which can reach 5 millimeters in length. In the axils of the spines of the upper part of the stems, small, fleshy, spade-shaped leaves are preserved, reaching a length of 3 to 5 centimeters.

Some sources contain information that this species has no flowering at all, and propagation occurs by breaking off cuttings.

The most popular among gardeners is the variety that has dark green shoots and red foliage.

Beautiful spurge or poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

Its homeland is Central America and tropical Mexico. This type It is considered one of the most beautiful of the entire Euphorbia family and is also called the “Christmas Star”. This is due to the fact that this type of spurge blooms in December. The plant is a tall (up to 4 meters) highly branched shrub with thin, as if broken, angular stems. The short-petioled leaves have an oval-pointed or broadly lanceolate shape with a coarsely toothed edge. The surface of the leaves is leathery-rough and the veins stand out prominently on it. The length of the leaf plate is up to 16 centimeters, and the width is up to 7 centimeters. This euphorbia owes its spectacular appearance to its very bright large bracts, which are available in large quantities. They are very similar in size and shape to foliage. Because of this, many people believe that this plant has incredibly beautifully colored foliage. The original species has red bracts. Moreover, there are a large number of varieties whose bracts are colored orange, whitish-green, yellow, pink or another color.

Euphorbia caput-medusae

The birthplace of this plant is South Africa, the Cape Town region. This herbaceous plant, strongly branched at the base, is a perennial. It produces many lodging thick horizontal shoots. On their greenish-gray surface there is a huge number of layered conical tubercles, and therefore such stems are very similar to many snakes that are woven into a ball. Over time, narrow, belt-like small leaves remain only at the tops of the shoots. Small white flowers bloom there and have no decorative value.

In this milkweed there is a gradual formation of a central thick caudex, with big amount scars on the surface.

Euphorbia obesa

From South Africa, from the Caspian province. This succulent, which is a perennial, looks very similar to a cactus. The octagonal stem does not branch. A young specimen has a spherical shape, and with age the stem elongates and becomes shaped like a baseball. It reaches a height of 20 to 30 centimeters, and a transverse diameter of 9 to 10 centimeters. At the tops of the low, wide ribs there are many tubercles with brownish scar spots that remain from previously fallen off inflorescences. Dense small inflorescences are similar to blossoming leaf buds or green small cones, and differ from them only in protruding large pistils.

Euphorbia enopla (Euphorbia enopla)

Also native to South Africa. It looks very much like a cactus. This succulent is very branched at the base, and its height varies from 30 to 100 centimeters. Cylindrical shoots of rich green color have from 6 to 8 sharp ribs and a diameter of 3 centimeters. At the tops of the ribs there is a huge number of hard, thick, reddish-brown conical spines, the length of which varies from 1 to 6 centimeters. An inflorescence is formed on the upper part of the shoot. Young flower stalks are very similar in appearance to the thorns located nearby, but over time their top opens into a small (5 mm in diameter) cup of dark red bracts.

Caring for indoor spurge at home

Since there are a lot of types of euphorbias and most of them differ in their care characteristics, some general rules No. Below we will discuss the features of growing euphorbia succulents, because they are the ones most often grown at home.

Illumination

Such a plant needs very intense lighting and direct sunlight throughout the year. The most suitable windows are southwest, south, and southeast orientation. If the lighting is poor, then spurge will grow slowly, new growths will be very painful, and in some cases this will lead to the death of the entire plant. To avoid this, you need to use phytolamps for illumination, but remember that the duration of light throughout the year should be about 10 hours.

Temperature

In summer, the plant feels best at temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees. All beautifully flowering species have a mandatory dormant period, which is observed in winter and requires cool maintenance. And that’s all, because the formation of flower buds begins at a temperature of 14 degrees.

This succulent is quite tolerant of sudden changes in temperature, but we must remember that it does not tolerate drafts. In this regard, you should ventilate the room extremely carefully.

How to water

There is one rule - the less the plant resembles a cactus in appearance, the more often it needs to be watered. You also need to look at the condition of the soil. Abundant watering is carried out only after the soil has dried out to a depth of ¼. Do not allow water to stagnate in the substrate or allow it to sour. This is especially true for those euphorbias that have a fleshy, thick stem that can rot very quickly. But do not forget that some species react extremely negatively to drying out of the earthen coma, for example, Mil’s milkweed. They may react by dropping leaves.

In winter, with cool conditions, it is necessary to water much less, because during this period there is an even greater danger of rot appearing on the root system and root collar.

Humidity

The low air humidity of city apartments is quite suitable.

Earth mixture

Suitable soil should be loose, neutral and well-drained. For planting, you can buy a ready-made soil mixture for cacti or make it yourself. To do this, combine leaf, turf and peat soil, brick chips and coarse river sand, which should be taken in equal parts.

At the bottom of the pot, do not forget to make a good drainage layer of expanded clay.

Fertilizer

This plant usually grows in poor soils, so it should not be fertilized too often. This procedure is carried out once a week. To do this, use fertilizer for cacti and take the dose indicated on the package. If there is a dormant period in winter, then there is no need to apply fertilizer to the soil.

Features of transplantation

Euphorbia is replanted only when its root system no longer fits into the pot.

Trimming

Cactus-like succulents, as well as white-veined and ribbed milkweed, do not require pinching or pruning. Those species that naturally branch heavily (for example, Mil's milkweed) need to pinch the tops of the stems. This helps to give the crown fullness and also helps prevent the bush from growing too much.

Reproduction methods

Euphorbia “cacti” at home, as a rule, reproduce by children. In this case, leafy species can be propagated by cuttings and seeds.

Before planting the cut cuttings in the substrate, it should be washed from the milky juice and then left in the open air to dry. To make the roots grow faster, it is recommended to treat the tip of the cutting with Kornevin. The prepared cuttings must be planted in moistened sand or peat substrate. For rooting, you will need a light mini-greenhouse in which you need to maintain a certain level of humidity. Systematic ventilation is required.

Pests and diseases

They are particularly resistant to diseases and pests. But they can get sick due to improper care.

1. Yellowing of a large number of leaves throughout the crown in the summer is a draft or stagnation of water in the soil.
2. Yellowing of a not very large number of lower leaves in the summer is quite natural process.
3. In autumn, yellowing of a large amount of foliage - in deciduous species this is a natural process of preparation for the winter period.
4. Single large brownish spots on the surface of the shoot are burns left by the sun's rays.
5. There are many brown spots on the stem and they have different sizes - this is rotting caused by stagnation of water in the soil.

Attention! This plant is poisonous. So, if the milky juice gets on the skin, it will cause allergic reaction, and if in the stomach - poisoning.

Euphorbia or cactus?

An inexperienced gardener may confuse milkweed with a cactus. But they can be distinguished quite easily. So, milkweed, unlike cactus, has milky juice. The thorns of the cactus grow in the pubescent areoles, while those of the milkweed grow on a smooth surface. They also differ in flowers.

Video review

Euphorbia has a huge variety of species. Its genus includes annual and perennial herbs, shrubs and trees. The appearance of plants is very diverse. Their height varies from a few centimeters to two meters. Straight ascending stems are available with or without thorns. What unites everything and plants is the milky juice that is released from the cuts. Euphorbia lives in tropical countries - in Africa and Asia, the Mediterranean and America, as well as in the south of Russia.

The most common types and varieties of plants with photographs

According to various sources, the Euphorbiaceae family contains from 800 to 2000 species. Few grow only in open ground. But for the most part, milkweed also develops well as an indoor flower. Let's get to know the most interesting representatives of this family:

• Euphorbia fringed– an annual plant reaching a height of 70 cm. Under natural conditions, it spreads on mountain slopes, forming dense thickets. It owes its name to the light border on large light green leaves;
• white-veined spurge (white-veined)- a common indoor culture. In nature it grows up to 1.5 m. It has a thick ribbed trunk. Long dark green oval leaves with white veins are renewed in the upper part of the trunk, and the lower ones die off over time. Blooms small, inconspicuous flowers;
• Euphorbia multiflora- garden perennial. The average height of the plant is 70 cm. The bush has a hemispherical shape. The stem is strewn with dense, bright green foliage of an elongated oval shape. Blooms greenish-yellow flowers in early May;
• Euphorbia triangular (triangular)- perennial, growing up to 3 m in indoor conditions. It has a characteristic fleshy triangular stem 5-6 cm wide. The jagged ribs are covered with oval leaves and spines. Blooms rarely, propagates mainly by cuttings;
• euphorbia comb- an evergreen shrub with a thick ribbed stem. The oval, elongated leaves, about 20 cm long, on a red-brown root are collected at the top of the plant. Blooms white and pink flowers on a small peduncle;
• milkweed mile– also called crown of thorns. A thorny shrub with bright green thin elliptical leaves. The flowers are small, white, milky, yellow in color.

If you would like to have a houseplant that bears fruit, then we recommend choosing the edible passionflower plant.

You will be interested to know how a houseplant, stapelia, is replanted; read about it here.

Is spurge a cactus?

Often, amateur gardeners call some types of milkweed cacti. This is explained by the great external similarity. However, the family of Euphorbiaceae, or Euphorbiaceae, is not botanically classified as a cactus family, and it is incorrect to call them that.

How to care for milkweed at home

Euphorbia does not like drafts and too wet soil

The flower grower fell in love with spurge not only for its unusual decorative appearance, but also for the ease of caring for it at home. This plant is unpretentious to living conditions. But it must be protected from drafts and the soil should not be too wet.

Replanting a plant after purchase

The general rule for replanting plants is to choose the right time of year. It's spring for milkweed. If a flower appears in your home in another season, replanting is carried out only if it was purchased in a transport container. In this case, it is better to immediately transplant it into a pot with suitable soil and drainage.

Soil for milkweed

The substrate for milkweed should be loose and permeable. If there is no special soil for succulent plants, suitable soil for cactus. You can prepare the mixture yourself. For this you will need:

• leaf soil, humus, sand in proportions 2:3:2;
• turf, sand, turf in equal parts.

A drainage layer of pebbles or expanded clay must be laid at the bottom of the pot.

Feeding and fertilizers

Potassium fertilizers are used for fertilizing

Euphorbia is fed during the growing season - in spring and summer once a month after watering. Potassium fertilizers are used for flowering plants. In autumn winter period no fertilizing is applied.

Watering the plant

The soil should be moistened according to the following scheme:

• in summer water once a week;
• in winter, watering is reduced to once a month;
• at temperatures below +12°C, watering is stopped.

The overdried soil begins to be moistened gradually with small portions of water. On hot days, the plant is sprayed.

Optimal temperature for indoor plants

Some species are able to withstand temperatures of +4...+6°C. In such conditions, the flower is kept in a well-lit place.

Lighting

Most species are sun-loving and respond well to direct sunlight. Some people prefer diffused light. Among them are poinsettia and spurge.

Euphorbia can also grow in the shade. But at the same time, the leaves lose their brightness and contrast. Variegated species under such conditions may lose their unusual color.

Pruning milkweed

Anti-aging pruning is performed in mid-summer after flowering:

• remove dried stems;
• shorten elongated shoots;
• in flowering species they leave young shoots that will bloom the next year.

Formative pruning is not only about crown correction. If you want the spurge to grow in a dense bush, cut off all the shoots at the end of winter. There will be no flowering in the year of pruning, but in the future it will double.

Types of propagation of indoor spurge flower

Euphorbia reproduces in three ways

At home, spurge can be propagated in three different ways:

• seed;
• cuttings;
• dividing the bush.

The vegetative method of propagating milkweed is the most accessible and easiest when planting and caring for the plant. From seeds, spherical forms are grown, which are not propagated by cuttings. Some species propagate by root shoots, for example, garden spurge.

How to Grow Euphorbia from Seeds

You can collect the seeds yourself. To do this, the pods are isolated with a fabric bag so that the ripened seeds do not spill out of the opened box. They can be stored in a paper envelope for no more than a year. But it is better to sow with fresh seeds.

The substrate for germination is prepared from a mixture of peat and sand. The soil is pre-calcined in the oven for disinfection. The seeds are soaked in water for a day and then buried wet in the ground. The crops are covered with plastic wrap and left in a warm place.

Propagation by cuttings

Propagate spurge by cuttings, preferably in autumn

Propagation by cuttings is carried out by shoots or leaves of the plant. This procedure is performed in the fall.

For propagation by shoots:

• cut off a shoot about 10 cm long from under the leaf node;
• remove the lower leaves;
• dip in water to wash off the secreted juice;
• the cut is wiped and treated with crushed charcoal;
• the dried cuttings are planted in wet sand.

Before rooting planting material kept under a transparent cap. The soil is kept moist. Direct sunlight is undesirable during this period.

For propagation by leaf cuttings use protective gloves:

• pinch off the leaf with the stem;
• the milky juice is allowed to drain;
• the cut is treated with a stimulant;
• planted in moist soil;
• cover with transparent film.

Care consists of daily ventilation and regular watering.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

Dividing the bush is done when the plant is dormant. The plant is taken out of the pot and the rhizome is divided into several parts. Inspect the planting material - there should be no rotting areas left on it. These are removed down to healthy tissue. The finished divisions are planted in separate pots.

Diseases and pests of milkweed, treatment and plant care

This happens due to waterlogging. To save the plant, it is necessary to replant it in new soil for cacti, first removing rotten roots and remaining soil.

Improper care leads to disease and loss of decorative appearance of the plant. If the leaves turn yellow and fall off, there are signs of rotting of the stem and roots, the reason may lie in improper watering, lack of light or nutrients, temperature changes and drafts. Black and brown spots indicate a fungal disease. To combat it, the flower is sprayed with fungicides.

• mealybug leaves a white coating on leaves and shoots. The bugs are collected by hand, and the plant is treated once a week with a soap solution with the addition of machine oil. The pest does not like infusions of garlic, tobacco, and calendula;
• round spots of white, orange and brown colors signal the vital activity of the scale insect. Thrips leave silvery and pale yellow stripes. They are fought with the help of insecticides Aktara, Fitoverma;
• presence of small green and black bugs indicate aphid infestation. Infusions of mustard, hogweed, onions, capsicum, alder, and garlic will help get rid of it;
• spider mite leaves a whitish coating on the underside of the leaves. Places where the pest appears are wiped with alcohol and soapy water;
• root mealybug can be detected during transplantation. The bugs are washed off with hot water at a temperature of about +45°C. After transplanting into a fresh substrate, once a week for a month, the spurge is watered with aktara.

Useful properties of milkweed

Euphorbia is known for its healing properties. With its help you can cure fungal skin infections, get rid of warts, eczema, and lichens. A tincture of crushed herbs is used as baths.

The roots of the plant are used in folk medicine for stomach disorders. The raw material is boiled and consumed 1 tablespoon before meals. This remedy also helps to cope with liver ailments. In the treatment of cystitis and frequent headaches, alcohol tincture is used.

Despite their useful qualities, milkweed can be dangerous. Therefore, when you bring it into your home, you cannot neglect some of the rules of its neighborhood.

Indoor spurge can be harmful

The milky sap that comes out of the plant when cut is very toxic. Its poison can cause poisoning, irritation and burns upon contact with skin or mucous membranes. Therefore, spurge should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.

You should wear protective gloves when caring for the plant, pruning and replanting. If juice gets on an unprotected area of ​​skin, the area must be immediately washed with water.

Also watch the video on how to prune triangular spurge.

Euphorbia or Euphorbia(Euphorbia) from the Euphorbiaceae family unites more than 1,500 species of subtropical annual and perennial herbaceous plants, as well as low-growing trees and shrubs. Many types of euphorbia differ markedly from each other in external signs. Some species are represented by succulent plants, with columnar or cactus-shaped faceted stems, other species have absolutely no leaves or have spines, and there are varieties with thin leafy stems. One of the main characteristics that unites all these species is the presence of milky sap in plant tissues.

Breeders have developed many varieties of euphorbia that are perfectly adapted to growing at home. Euphorbia is an unpretentious species and caring for these fancy indoor plants does not cause any difficulties even for novice gardeners. Photos of domestic varieties of milkweed, useful tips on how to care for them indoors, as well as recipes for preparing medicinal and cosmetic products from these plants, you will find in this article.

Phytodesigners value euphorbia for its variety of forms and convenient use in organizing the flower space of a room and interior landscaping. Many domestic species are used to decorate large halls, winter gardens, glassed-in greenhouses and verandas. Leafy varieties of milkweed are easy to prune and they produce very original standard trees that will look harmonious in an ensemble with indoor azaleas, fuchsias with bright flowers, hibiscus (Chinese rose), and gardenia jasmine formed in the form of bonsai. Succulents will look interesting against the background of such miniature tree-like plants as ficus benjamina or rubber plant, palm-shaped dracaena marginata or home yucca, exotic monstera or chamedorea palm, myrtle tree or schefflera.

It is also important to mention that the milky juice of euphorbia is toxic and quite poisonous. Therefore, try to keep this indoor plant as far as possible from curious small children and pets. In certain doses and after special processing, milky juice helps cure many diseases. In folk medicine, milkweed juice has been used for a long time and is not inferior in popularity to medicinal Kalanchoe, aloe vera or Agave, Crassula Crassula. With its help, warts are removed, calluses, age spots and various defects on the face are removed. After special processing of the stems and leaves of milkweed, effective medicines are obtained for the treatment of tumors, peptic ulcers, and gastritis. The plant has established itself as an excellent tonic and blood purifier. Euphorbia root is rich in ascorbic acid, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, and saponins. The root is crushed and the powder is used to treat burns, boils and skin ulcers.

Popular Euphorbia species to grow at home include Euphorbia leuconeura, Euphorbia fischeriana, Euphorbia trigona, and Euphorbia milii.

- photos of popular types of euphorbia

Euphorbia white-veined (or white-veined) can be considered one of the most beloved home species among our indoor plant lovers. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a woody stem at the bottom and a five-ribed, club-shaped stem at the top. In the upper part of the stem grow obovate leaves, pointed at the top, which are covered with silvery veins. At home it blooms annually. The flowers are small, pinkish in color, collected in an inflorescence.

Euphorbia Pallas Popularly it has a second name - “man-root”, as it is famous for its effective healing qualities. The root of the plant contains large quantities of lactones, which are known for their antitumor and antibacterial properties. Medicines from the root of Euphorbia Pallas are very useful for older people.

Euphorbia triangularis very similar to a cactus with an elongated stem shape. The shape of the stem is triangular. On the edges there is a series of tubercles with double spines. Elongated leaves also grow on the ribs. At home, the unpretentious triangular spurge grows very well and is often used to decorate floral compositions from such popular flowering indoor plants as phalaenopsis orchid or dendrobium, tuberous begonia, pelargonium geranium with large flowers, European cyclamen, indoor gloxinia, amaryllis belladonna or clivia cinnabar, hippeastrum with large flowers, Thompson's clerodendrum, home balsam.

Euphorbia Mile also called “crown of thorns” for the peculiar shape of the stem with thorns. Elongated leaves with a rounded top grow on the stems of this thorny subshrub. Cyanthia (flowers) are collected in complex inflorescences and decorated with bright yellowish or pinkish bracts. The flowering period of milkweed Mile is in spring and autumn. At home, this type of milkweed is unpretentious and grows quickly.

♦ WHAT IS IMPORTANT!

Location and lighting.

The best location is a rack or shelf on the windowsill of the south or southeast window of the room. All types of euphorbia are very light-loving and therefore require additional lighting in winter. On hot summer days, you can shade the window glass a little. But cactus-like succulents with fleshy stems (for example, Euphorbia triangularis) are not afraid of direct sunlight. But on the leaves of such species as Euphorbia Mila, Euphorbia white-veined or Euphorbia Palassa, burns from direct rays may remain.

Temperature regime.

During the dormant period (usually winter), spurge loves a slight coolness of 12-15°C. If possible, take the pot with the plant to a glassed-in loggia or balcony. The optimal temperature in spring and summer is 18-26°C. Small changes in temperature during the day are not scary for indoor milkweed, but keep the plant away from drafts.

Air humidity.

The ideal option is a moderate level of humidity (40-50%). But spurge is also very resistant to dry air. But it is advisable to regularly spray species with leafy stems, especially on hot summer days.

Watering.

Use warm, well-settled water for watering milkweed. In winter, water the plant very rarely and sparingly (leafy species, such as M. white-veined or M. pallas, once a week, and cacti-like species, such as M. triangular, it is enough to water once every 2-3 weeks). Before the next watering, the soil should be almost dry.
In summer and spring, watering is moderate. Overwatering is very dangerous for the root system of the plant. All substrate is allowed to dry before the next watering, except for the earthen clod. Pour out any water that flows into the pan immediately.

Earth mixture and fertilizing.

You can make your own soil mixture for planting homemade milkweed. To do this, mix leaf soil, garden soil, brick chips, and coarse sand in equal parts. Add some birch charcoal to the mixture. One part of rotted compost can be added to the soil mixture for M. white veined.

During the growing season, fertilize succulents once every two weeks. Do not add nitrogenous fertilizers, as the skin of the fleshy stems of euphorbia may crack. You can add fertilizer in small quantities for decorative flowering indoor plants (M. white veined, M. milia).

Transfer.

For transplant

A milkweed transplant is needed in one of these cases.:

• The plant has grown. The roots of the milkweed are already cramped in the old pot, so the flower needs to be replanted.
• The roots of the milkweed have rotted and are affected by a fungal disease. In this case, fresh, uncontaminated soil is like an ambulance.
• The flower arrived from the store in a pot suitable for transportation, but not for living.
• The container from the store is still suitable, but the soil in it is a special substrate with the addition of growth stimulants.

How often is the procedure required?

Since the root system of milkweed grows and develops quickly, it is recommended to transplant young specimens into larger containers annually.

It is recommended to replant adult spurge when the volume of the pot is filled with roots - once every two or three years. The transplantation procedure should be carried out in the spring, at the beginning of the natural growing season.. Then the milkweed will be able to successfully adapt to the changed conditions.

Transplanting at home into another pot

Before transplanting, you need to prepare a container, nutrient mixture and drainage. How to choose a pot:

• Choose a pot taking into account the fact that the roots grow quickly. There should be enough space to install high-quality drainage, 2-3 centimeters wider than its predecessor.
• But the container should not be spacious, because spurge is ready to take up the space around itself. You should not take a growing pot, or a very deep one, also because the water stagnates in such a pot and the roots rot.

When replanting, place a layer of drainage on the bottom of the pot. For good breathability, it is advisable to sprinkle the drainage with rotten tree bark. Pebbles, expanded clay, and crushed tiles serve as drainage.

If a tall plant is being transplanted, heavy stones should be placed at the bottom along with drainage. In this case, the pot will not turn over due to gravity. For milkweed, the soil should be loose, permeable, slightly acidic.

We prepare the soil in one of the following ways:

1. We take the following ingredients: peat, turf soil, leaf soil, sand. Mix them in equal parts.
2. Mix leaf soil (2 parts), humus (3 parts), sand (2 parts).
3. Take a store-bought nutrient substrate for succulents.

If you doubt the quality of the purchased mixture, treat it with water with the addition of potassium permanganate.

The transplant process consists of the following steps:

• Before replanting, water your indoor plant to make it easier to remove.
• Carefully remove the flower from the pot, while using a knife to help separate the edges of the soil from the walls of the pot.
• Inspect the root system, remove damaged or rotten roots.
• Gently shake off excess soil, but do not overdo it so as not to injure the roots.
• Using the transfer method, carefully transfer the plant into a previously prepared pot with drainage placed on the bottom and a thin layer of prepared substrate.
• Sprinkle the spurge with prepared soil.
• Press the surface moderately firmly with your hands.
• Pour warm water with bait.

In open ground

When working in the garden with milkweed, it is advisable to wear gloves.

Post-procedure care

Post-procedure care includes:

1. After transplanting the spurge into a new pot, it should be watered with settled warm water.
2. We take the euphorbia transplanted into a new pot and place it in a lighted place, preferably without hot sun and drafts. The light should be diffused.
3. Next, the plant should be sprayed to avoid drying out the soil.

What to do if the plant does not take root?

Having survived the transplantation process, the plant experiences stress and must go through a period of adaptation. But, if the recovery process is delayed, then it is necessary to understand the reason and take measures:

1. Perhaps the flower is hot, the clod of earth is too dry. Move it to a cooler place. Spray to increase air and soil humidity. And in the future, regularly water with warm, soft water.
2. If there is a suspicion that the spurge is overly moistened, then you need to reduce watering: water only when the soil above is completely dry.
3. If in this case there are no changes, then you need to dig up the plant and inspect the roots.

   When inspecting the plant before planting, pay attention that if the roots are not watery, have not changed color, and the root system looks healthy, then you can change the soil.

   Perhaps there is a source of infection in the ground. Before transplanting, the roots should be treated with special means.

Conclusion

Euphorbia needs to be transplanted into a larger pot.. You will be surprised how quickly it will grow to please you with lush greenery and a beautiful, well-groomed appearance!

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The heat-loving and drought-resistant plant is well suited for growing at home. Indoor spurge is easy to care for and tolerates dry air well during the heating season. The shoots of the culture contain poisonous milky sap, contact with which poses a danger to humans and pets. Careful handling of the flower allows you to avoid troubles and grow an ornamental plant without much hassle.

Origin and botanical description of the plant

Euphorbia (the biological name of the crop) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Represented by more than 800 varieties of herbs, shrubs and trees. About 160 species have become widespread in Russia. Some varieties of milkweed are described as cacti-like (due to the numerous spines on the fleshy shoots). Some varieties have soft, smooth leaves. The feature that unites the genus is the milky juice secreted when the shoots are damaged.

Euphorbia blooms annually in spring and summer. The original umbellate inflorescences do not have sepals. The color depends on the variety. After flowering, a fruit is formed - a box with 3 “nuts”. The root system is vertical, the stems are straight or ascending with weak branching.

Main varieties

The large family includes annual and perennial varieties of milkweed. Among them you can find succulents resembling a cactus, shrubs with large leaves, tree-like palms with fleshy leaves. IN indoor floriculture Several species of milkweed are common.

1. - a shrub with densely intertwined triangular branches covered with single spines. The leaves are shiny, smooth, grow up to 3 cm in length. Small, inconspicuous flowers appear in the summer months. The attractive appearance of the plant is given by milkweed bracts, the color of which depends on the lighting in the room.
2. – shaped like an indoor palm tree. The fleshy gray-brown trunk is covered with scales of dead shoots. At the top are collected opposite leaves of a dark green color with white stripes of veins.
3. – euphorbia with decorative shoots similar in structure to corals. The thin stems of the plant at a young age are green in color and produce small leaves that quickly fall off. In adulthood, the shoots are dark gray and there is no foliage.
4. Akalitha (Foxtail)- a low branched shrub with small oval leaves. Valued for its original flowers, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences, with a bright color and plump structure reminiscent of the fluffy tail of a fox.
5. - a shrub with large stems with several edges. The surface of the shoots is covered with numerous tubercles and double spines. In room conditions it reaches 1.5-2 m in height.
6. (Euphorium Beautiful) is a shrub with thin, broken stems. Large pointed leaves grow up to 15 cm. Star-shaped red bracts decorate the indoor plant in winter months. One of the most popular decorative indoor flowers.
7. Multi-flowered (Euphorbia Polychroma)- a plant with straight stems forming a neat ball. Grows up to 50 cm in height. The shrub is covered with dark green opposite leaves. Bright bracts of yellow, orange and green colors give the golden flowers a decorative appearance.

Despite the large number of external differences, representatives of the Euphorbiaceae family have similar requirements for growing conditions and care measures.

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Necessary conditions for cultivation

The indoor euphorbia flower can grow with minimal human intervention. In order for the plant to have high decorative qualities, a healthy appearance and a decorative shape, you should properly care for euphorbia in a pot.

Location and lighting

Most varieties of milkweed prefer bright sunlight throughout the year. It is advisable to place the bowl with the plant on a lighted windowsill. In the summer months, if possible, it is taken out onto the balcony, loggia or garden plot. The exception is varieties with large leaves; for them it is preferable to choose places with diffused light.

When choosing a place for euphorbia, it should be taken into account that the milky sap has toxic properties. An indoor flower should not be placed in the public domain for children and pets.

Air humidity

Euphorbia is a drought-tolerant plant. Varieties related to succulents do not need to artificially increase air humidity. Fleshy shoots accumulate a sufficient amount of moisture to maintain the life of the plant. Spraying leaves leads to rot and fungal diseases.

Soil requirements

For the normal development of the root system and the ground part of the perennial, soil that meets the following characteristics is important:

• loose structure;
• neutral alkaline environment;
• breathability.

To ensure these conditions, the flower is planted in special soil for succulents. It consists of river sand, turf soil, and special clay. There must be drainage at the bottom of the bowl. Loose soil provides the roots with access to air and protects them from stagnant water. Garden soil, like soil for indoor flowers, is not suitable for growing euphorbia.

Subtleties of care

Indoor spurge requires minimal effort. The main concern of the gardener is to establish a suitable watering regime, maintain the nutritional composition of the soil and promptly form plant shoots.

Watering requirement

The soil in a bowl with a perennial plant should completely dry out by 1-2 cm between waterings. In warm weather, spurge should be watered about once a week. Excess water must be drained from the pan to avoid root rot. As the air temperature drops, reduce the number of waterings to 2 times a month. You need to focus on the condition of the flower and the soil in the bowl.

If the soil is completely dry, it is advisable to resume watering gradually, since during drought most of the suction roots die off. Gradual moistening with warm water helps restore the functions of the root system.

Feeding

In indoor conditions, spurge grows well in moderately fertile soil. Feeding is carried out only during the period of active growth of shoots. It does not use organic matter or nitrogen fertilizers.

Mostly beautifully flowering varieties are fed. For this purpose, preparations for succulents are purchased in specialized stores. Apply strictly according to the instructions after watering. Euphorbia does not tolerate excess minerals well.

Trimming and shaping

There are 2 types of pruning indoor plant: sanitary and formative. The need to adjust the crown is determined by the appearance of the flower. Before the procedure, gloves are worn to avoid contact with the poisonous juice. Euphorbia should be pruned if:

• dried, damaged leaves and shoots appeared on the bush;
• the stems became very elongated during the winter;
• the bush forms few side shoots and stops blooming.

Trimmed spurge should be protected from direct sunlight and excess moisture for 5-7 days. Flowering shrubs should not be subjected to the procedure.

Pests and diseases

Proper care of milkweed at home allows you to avoid problems with diseases. The most common mistake gardeners make is overmoistening the soil, especially during the dormant period. The indoor flower reacts by rotting the root system and the appearance of black spots on the stems and foliage. Root rot requires replanting the bush after removing all affected areas.

Pests that pose a danger to indoor milkweed are characteristic of most houseplants:

• mealybug. It appears as a white coating on the shoots. The method of control is spraying with a soap solution;
• scale insect. Leaves round brown spots on the leaves. Diseased shoots are removed, the ground part is treated with an insecticide;
• aphids and spider mites. Young leaves curl, turn yellow and die. Pest control is carried out by spraying with soap or garlic solution.

In case of mass damage by insects or fungal diseases, the spurge is transplanted into new disinfected soil.

Reproduction methods

At home, milkweed propagation is carried out in several ways, which depend on the type of perennial crop.

• The Mil variety is propagated by dividing the bush. Dig up the plant, carefully wash the roots and divide it into several parts. Wash off the milky juice, sprinkle with coal and transplant into new bowls;
• You can take cuttings from species with leaves on dense cuttings. To do this, in the spring, cut off a shoot 10-12 cm long, wash it of sticky juice under running water and root it in a substrate for succulents. To create an optimal microclimate, cover the container with the cutting with a plastic bag;
• seed propagation is practiced for palm varieties. The collected seeds are soaked for 24 hours in water and planted in soil made of peat and sand. The container with the seeds is placed in a warm place, covered with glass or film. After 2 months, when 2-3 leaves are formed, they are transplanted into separate bowls.

Caring for rooted plants involves maintaining soil moisture and temperature at 22-25 °C. Young seedlings need good lighting.

Timing and technology of transplantation

Indoor spurge should be replanted as the root system and ground part of the shrub grows. The procedure is carried out in the spring, after new shoots have begun to grow. Young specimens need a new container once a year, older specimens – once every 2 years.

Euphorbia should be transplanted into a pot 2-3 cm wider than the previous one in diameter. A healthy flower moves along with a lump of earth. If the roots of the plant are affected by rot, they are washed, the diseased part is cut off, treated with an antiseptic and placed in new soil. Health-improving transplantation of milkweed is carried out as needed, regardless of the time of year.

If you need to plant an overgrown shrub in several new bowls, try to separate the roots as carefully as possible, without using cutting objects. Places that have undergone separation are sprinkled with activated carbon or copper sulfate.

Euphorbia purchased in a store is replanted 2 weeks after purchase, as soon as the flower adapts to indoor conditions. Flowering specimens can be replanted a little later, when new buds stop forming.

• stop watering the milkweed a week before transplanting;
• carefully freed from transport soil;
• a drainage layer is placed on the bottom of the bowl;
• The roots are spread over the heaped substrate, sprinkled with soil, and the soil is lightly compacted.

The root collar should be at the same level after transplantation. The soil should be moistened no earlier than after 2 days.

Possible difficulties during cultivation

Errors in care affect the appearance of indoor milkweed. As a rule, problems are caused by improper watering and lack of lighting:

• rotting of the lower part of the stem, yellowing and falling leaves indicate waterlogging of the soil;
• pale leaves, elongated shoots appear as a result of a lack of sunlight;
• dropping young leaves - a reaction to drafts and sudden changes in temperature;
• yellow-brown single spots on the shoots are caused by sunburn;
• dry tips of leaves, loss of turgor appear due to watering with cold, hard water.

In general, growing different varieties of milkweed indoors is not difficult. For successful development, the crop needs properly organized watering, a lighted place and rare fertilizing. When handling shrubs, you should be aware of the toxic properties of the milky sap.