African milk bush

African milk bush Care

Euphorbia umbellata

What is the plant

Euphorbia umbellata is a rather succulent, evergreen shrub or a small bushy tree that usually grows up to 5 metres tall, occasionally to 10 metres. The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

Euphorbia umbellata is a thornless semi-succulent, evergreen shrub or small tree, erect, richly branched from near the base and in its habitat becoming up to 3,5(-10) m in height with an equal spread. It is widely grown in the tropics for its giant fleshy leaves as an ornamental and hedge or cover plant and under glass in colder regions. The plant has long been recognized as being very toxic and irritant. Contact of the latex with the skin or mucous membranes will cause a burning sensation, dermatitis and blisters. In cultivation, this plant is also known as Synadenium grantii.

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Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

9b - 11

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water African milk tree thoroughly when the soil surface feels dry to the touch throughout the growing season. Evenly moisten the surface of the soil, but don’t water so much that it’s soggy or wet. Allow it to dry out completely between waterings. Water the plant during winter dormancy only when the top 1 inch of soil is completely dry. If you’re in doubt, err on the side of caution and don’t water this drought-tolerant succulent.
Fertilizer
Feed the African milk tree 2 or 3 times monthly throughout the growing season, from early April through early October. Use an all-purpose 20-20-20 fertilizer or a cactus and succulent preparation. Don’t fertilize this plant when it’s not actively growing.
Sunlight
Grow in full sun to light shade.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Plant in a very well-drained soil mix with sand or perlite with small gravel added to ensure good drainage.
Temperature
Keep this plant in a warm location where the temperature never dips below 50°F (10°F) overnight. If your African milk tree is primarily an indoor specimen, move it to a sunny spot outside when sustained temperatures are above 55°F (12°C).
Container
This plant can be grown in a clay pot to control its size. Choose a large pot with enough drainage holes.