General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Cactus/Succulent
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 10b +1.7 °C (35 °F) to +4.4 °C (40 °F)
Plant Height: Up to 16 feet
Flowers: Other: In the genus Euphorbia, the flowers are reduced in size and aggregated into a cluster of flowers called a cyathium (plural cyathia). This feature is present in every species of the genus Euphorbia but nowhere else in the plant kingdom.
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Windbreak or Hedge
Dynamic Accumulator: B (Boron)
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Drought tolerant
Toxicity: Other: All members of the genus Euphorbia produce a milky sap called latex that is toxic and can range from a mild irritant to very poisonous.
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots

Image
Common names
  • Candelabra Plant
  • Elkhorn
  • False Cactus
  • Dragon Bones
  • Euphorbia
  • Crested Euphorbia

Photo Gallery

Date: 2022-09-06
Location: Fairfax, VA | April, 2023
Date: 2023-04-21
Location: Jakarta
Date: 2021-07-20
Location: National Botanical Garden, DC, Virginia :) | May, 2022
Date: 2022-05-28
Location: Fairfax, VA | July, 2022
Date: 2022-07-24
Location: At our garden - San Joaquin County, CA
Date: August 2014 to October 2014
Leaf and branch formation on Euphorbia lactea

Date: 2012-11-04

Date: 2012-11-04

Date: 2016-12-02
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Date: June 14, 2019
It’s growing like Jack’s beanstalk.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Morykwas, Steve's Leaves, Inc.
Location: central Illinois - Washington Park Botanical Garden
Date: 2014-03-22
Location: Van der Veer Botanical Garden  Davenport, Iowa
Date: 2012-07-01
Location: Middle Tennessee
Date: 2011-10-22
Location: Home 
Date: 2011-10-21
Photo by snarfie
Location: VanDerVeer Botanical Garden - Davenport, Iowa
Date: 2011-07-02
Location: central Illinois-Washington Park Botanical Garden -Springfield, Il.
Date: 2015-12-05
Location: central Illinois-Washington Park Botanical Garden -Springfield, Il.
Date: 2015-12-05

Date: 2016-12-02

Date: 2016-12-02
Location: Home
Date: 2011-10-22
stem markings on E. lactea
Location: Washington Park Botanical Garden - Springfield, Il.
Date: 2016-03-26
Comments:
  • Posted by SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Oct 24, 2011 1:20 PM concerning plant:
    Euphorbia lactea is sometimes confused with Euphorbia trigona. Once the plants begin to establish some size, the difference becomes more obvious. New growth on E. lactea develops as a open branching habit much like a tree or resembling elkhorns as its common name suggests. New E. trigona stems emerge from the ground in strongly vertical form and closely adjacent to each other.
Discussion Threads about this plant
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Euphorbia lactea, nor candelabrum. Photo should be moved. by skopjecollection Sep 3, 2018 1:32 PM 9
ID question by Baja_Costero Jun 22, 2019 12:30 AM 1

« Add a new plant to the database

» Search the Euphorbias Database: by characteristics or by cultivar name

« See the general plant entry for Euphorbias (Euphorbia)

« The Euphorbias Database Front Page

« The Plants Database Front Page

Today's site banner is by Lucius93 and is called "Erysimum cheiri"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.