Graceful spurge (Euphorbia hypericifolia) is a perennial flowering bush that blooms all year round. This species grows best in full sunlight or partial shade. Graceful spurge is resistant to rabbits and deer due to its toxic sap. This species is often cultivated as an ornamental plant and grown in containers, hanging baskets and gardens. Gardeners should wear gloves when handling graceful spurge due to its toxic sap.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Euphorbia hypericifolia (commonly known as graceful spurge, golden spurge, and chickenweed) is a species of perennial herb.
The plant is native to Tropical Americas like most Euphorbias, the place where it is native includes Southernmost parts of the U.S, Mexico, West Indies, Central and South America.
The places where this plant is an introduced species includes Spain, Italy, Greece, Indian subcontinent, China, South Korea, Myanmar, and parts of Indonesia as well as Subsaharan Africa.
It normally grows up to 2 feet (0.6 m) in height, and contains milky sap which can cause skin and eye irritation.
Plant hairless on all parts, stems generally about 50 cm (rare outliers to 170 cm), obviously arching, few to many, with flowers and fruit capsules as conspicuous dense balls held a distance from the stem (FNA). (Confusion with other species such as E. hyssopifolia/nutans may occur where the balls have few flowers in which case they will lack interspersed leaves.)
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Graceful spurge flourishes best in conditions of full sun, where the light intensity is high. This optimal illumination is essential for prolonged periods daily to promote the most vigorous growth and robust health. Graceful spurge can also adapt to partial sun environments, but its growth might be less compact, and the vibrancy of its foliage could diminish. In outdoor settings, graceful spurge should be planted in areas that receive abundant light to maintain its growth vigor. Adaptive traits like leaf adjustments help graceful spurge manage under variable light, enhancing its resilience but still implicating a preference for brighter spots over shade.
Temperature
Genus Euphorbia is very large and diverse, so its different species can be found in various habitats, but the majority are well-adapted to a temperature range of -29 to 4 ℃. Many spurges, in spite of having succulent leaves, cannot handle long periods without moisture and need to be watered weekly during hot summer days. Some cactus-like species are well adapted to high temperatures and prolonged dry periods, but most species used for landscaping and decorative gardening require more moisture for proper development.
Watering
Graceful spurge thrives in environments that mimic its native tropical habitat, where high humidity and frequent rainfall are the norm. This species exhibits a preference for consistently moist soil, indicative of its intolerance to drought conditions. Watering should align with this need, occurring twice a week to maintain the desired moisture level. As an indoor plant, graceful spurge benefits from regular misting to replicate the humid conditions it naturally prefers, ensuring its delicate foliage remains hydrated.
Soil
Spurges aren’t picky when it comes to soil type. They can grow in a variety of soils. Some species of Euphorbia can even thrive in nutrient-poor soils, requiring only that the soil be well drained. If the soil is full of moisture and is prone to water retention, it will most likely cause root rot.
Fertilizing
Graceful spurge doesn’t require large amounts of fertilizer for normal growth and development. In fact, very little fertilizer is required. As mentioned earlier, some species can thrive even in very poor soils, as long as those soils are well drained. Fertilizer should only be applied when the plants start showing nutrient deficiency symptoms on lower leaves. When the lower leaves turn yellow, it is time to add half-strength liquid fertilizer to the soil. That will keep the plant well fed for several months.
Planting Instructions
Dig a hole twice as wide as the plant’s root ball before planting. Then, turn the container with a graceful spurge upside down and let the plant slowly fall into your hands. Place the plant upright in the hole and slowly fill in around the roots with loose and fertile potting mixture, adjusting the planting depth until it is just right. Water it once. Do not overwater, as standing water is not good for the plant.
Pruning
In early spring, if there are any damaged stems, they need to be removed to keep the plants healthy and to optimize their nutrient management. It is advised to cut back a certain number of stems after blooming in order to stimulate consistent flowering and growth of new foliage. When cutting a stem, cut at the stem’s base. It is very important to use gloves while handling and pruning graceful spurge, because their tissues contain milky-white latex sap which is poisonous and can irritate the skin.
Propagation
Graceful spurge propagates readily during spring and summer via cuttings. The process is relatively easy, with success indicated by new growth. Keep cuttings moist and well-drained for optimal results.
Transplanting
The transplanting sweet spot for graceful spurge lies during the benign temperate window of spring-early summer (S1-S2). That’s when the plant fares best, due to gentle weather conditions. Pick a sunny spot for location, as graceful spurge thrives in full sunlight. A friendly suggestion: a little organic matter can go a long way in settling graceful spurge.
Repotting
When repotting graceful spurge, a small, bushy plant, aim for early spring every 2-3 years, aligning with its active growth phase. Choose a pot slightly larger than the current, as graceful spurge prefers snug space without much room to encourage blooming. Post-repotting, provide bright indirect light and evenly moist soil to foster recovery. Graceful spurge thrives with gentle care and minimal disturbance during this period.
III. Uses and Benefits
Notable for its “clouds” of small, delicate flowers, graceful spurge is an exciting choice for flower borders and beds, and an excellent fit for informal, cottage, and city gardens. Also, since it thrives in containers, it can be a showy patio and container plant; it makes a great option for hanging baskets because of its bushy, spreading growth habit.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Some species of Euphorbia can be cut for fresh flowers or foliage, such as snow-on-the-mountain (Euphorbia marginata), Euphorbia fulgens and Euphorbiaformosana. When harvesting cuttings, remember to wear gloves, as the sap can be irritating to the skin. It can be cut from the base of the stem. Soak the end of the cutting in hot water for 10 seconds to stop the milky sap from oozing. The vase life for the cutting will be about 5-7 days, and some flower food can extend its life.
When the fruits of Euphorbia plants are ripe, they burst and scatter the seeds over a large surface area. In order to harvest all the seeds, the individual fruits or the entire plant must be wrapped in nylon, gauze, or similar material before the ripe fruit bursts and releases the seeds.