Madagascar is home to many endemic animal and plant species. They can only be found there. But that’s not the only thing that makes them special – they can also look somewhat “special”.
Some species from the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) are very popular as indoor plants. For example, the crown-of-thorns (Euphorbia milii) and the Madagascar jewel (Euphorbia leuconeura).
Not quite as popular as the euphorbias mentioned above, but “very unique”, are the species presented below. I wouldn’t classify them as easy to care for, but not difficult to cultivate either.
Euphorbia decaryi
Euphorbia decaryi impresses with its “gnarled” stems and wavy leaves. It only grows about 15 centimetres tall and spreads by short runners and can also form small clumps as a pot plant.
I have found Euphorbia decaryi to be lazy bloomers, producing only one flower per year.
How to care for Euphorbia decaryi
Exposure: Partly sunny with morning sun, evening sun and winter sun.
Temperature/overwintering: Room temperature all year round, not below 10 °C for long periods.
Soil/substrate: Mineral or semi-mineral, pumice gravel, lava gravel.
Watering: Allow to dry out moderately.
Fertilize: Occasionally from spring to fall.
You can find a detailed care guide here.
Euphorbia “Nat Wong”
Euphorbia “Nat Wong” does not occur naturally in the wild, but is a cross between Euphorbia milii and Euphorbia decaryi.
It remains smaller than the crown-of-thorns and differs from Euphorbia decaryi in its rather flat growth and thorny stems. It also seems to have inherited the joy of flowering from crown-of-thorns, as it has also produced some flowers in winter.
I cultivate it in the same way as Euphorbia decaryi, the detailed instructions can be found here.
Euphorbia viguieri
Euphorbia viguieri can grow up to 30 centimetres tall and forms neither runners nor side shoots. The inflorescences are red in color. It sheds its leaves in the fall and can overwinter almost dry.
The pictures show Euphorbia viguieri var. capuroniana, which is said to differ from the other four forms by its longer spines.
I care for Euphorbia viguieri in the same way as Euphorbia decaryi, the detailed care instructions can be found here.
Categories: Succulents | Euphorbiaceae
