Euphorbia cotinifolia, also known as the caribbean copper plant, is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 3 to 6 m tall. The sap of this plant is poisonous, so protective equipment such as gloves and long sleeves should be worn when pruning. The Latin name ‘cotinifolia’ is derived from the Latin word ‘cotinus,’ which means ‘smoketree’ and ‘folia,’ which means ‘leaf’. It is also commonly referred to as the Tropical Smokebush.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Euphorbia cotinifolia is a broadleaf red shrub native to Mexico and South America. Treated as a shrub, it reaches 10 to 15 ft (3.0 to 4.6 m) but can be grown as a tree reaching 30 ft (9.1 m). Small white flowers with creamy bracts bloom at the ends of the branches in summer. The purplish stems, when broken, exude a sap that is a skin irritant.
The scientific name of the plant comes from the words cotinus meaning “smoketree” and folia meaning “leaf”. Common names for the species include smoketree spurge, tropical smoke bush, Caribbean copper plant, and Mexican shrubby spurge.
Euphorbia cotinifolia is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and in pots, due to its colourful and distinctive foliage. It prefers a site with well-drained soil and full sun. While relatively hardy, it does not react well to wind, salt, or frost.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Spurges naturally grow in places that have plenty of sunlight, but some species can tolerate partial shade (e. g., Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae). Full sun provides the best environment for spurges. If they are grown indoors, spurges need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day for proper development.
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
Caribbean copper plant needs regular watering about once a week, especially during growing seasons. The plants don’t need great amounts of water during temperate environmental conditions, but during hot summer days they need as much water as any other plant. Caribbean copper plant needs to be watered when the planting medium is dry for 5 cm at the surface. Those grown in indoor environments also need a sufficient amount of moisture during the resting season. To avoid excess moisture in the medium, it is best if small amounts of water are added from below.
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
Caribbean copper plant 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 caribbean copper plant 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 caribbean copper plant, because their tissues contain milky-white latex sap which is poisonous and can irritate the skin.
Propagation
Caribbean copper plant can be successfully grown from seeds, but the seeds are rarely commercially available because they are difficult to germinate and stay viable only for a short period of time. Caribbean copper plant is most commonly propagated via cuttings.
It is important to wear gloves while working with caribbean copper plant cuttings and to clean the pruning shears thoroughly after pruning, so that any unwanted contact with the sap is avoided. Before planting, it is necessary to leave the cuttings to dry for 2-3 days. This will prevent rot from developing and enable proper formation of the callus tissue. It is advised to plant the cuttings in a soilless medium, such as peat moss, because it provides an optimal environmental for proper root development.
Cuttings should be misted regularly, and the pots in which they are planted need to be wrapped in either foil or a plastic bag to preserve moisture. The bag or foil needs to be removed for two hours each day to provide sufficient air and to prevent excess moisture in the medium. If this step is skipped, molds and rots can easily develop and damage the health of the young, sensitive cuttings. When the cuttings develop a root system, they are ready to be transplanted into soil.
Transplanting
The best period for caribbean copper plant relocation is during late spring to early summer (S2-S4). Sunlight is ample, making it suitable. Choose a spot with well-draining soil and part sun. Gently tease the roots when uprooting. Nurture the plant with shady protection for the first week to avoid transplant shock.
Pests and Diseases
The biggest threat to the plant is over-watering.
When over-watering and not providing the plant with enough sunlight, it may start to develop mildew or fungus and attract pests.
Treat pest problems with miticide or pesticides, depending on the threat.
Spraying the leaves with water may also help remove small insects or spider mites.
Fungicide helps stop the spread of the fungus, but severe fungal infections may require the disposal of the entire plant.
Over-watering the plant while ensuring it receives enough warmth and sunlight can lead to drooping leaves.
If the leaves start to droop, ensure the soil has good drainage and limit watering until the health of the plant returns.
Besides drooping leaves, watch out for the sap. The stems produce a sap known to cause skin irritation. It may also cause digestive distress if ingested.
Keep the plant away from small children and pets, and use caution when trimming back or handling the plant.
To protect the skin, wear gloves before trimming the stems or taking cuttings for propagation.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Caribbean copper plant is a hardy tropical plant often used in landscaping. In cooler climates, it is grown as a container plant. It is popular for its colorful foliage that lasts until the first winter freeze, along with its showy summer flowers. Its resistance to pests and diseases makes it easy to maintain throughout the growing season.
- Other uses
The species is well known in Central America, where its poisonous sap has been used both as a medicine and a poison. As a medicine, it has been used in folk remedies as both an emetic and cathartic substance. Fishermen have been known to add the sap to water in fishing grounds to stun fish and force them to float to the top. It was also historically used as a poison for arrowheads by the natives of Curaçao.
The sap can cause irritation if it comes into contact with human skin or eyes. If ingested, the sap can cause severe damage to internal organs.
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 of 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 in nylon, gauze, or similar material before the ripe fruit bursts and releases the seeds.
Find Where to Buy the Best Mexican Shrubby Spurge (Euphorbia cotinifolia)
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo_shipping cols_order=3,2,1,5,4 hide=badge visible=number border_color=info limit=8]