Euphorbia Polygona – The Unique Spiny Succulent Called ‘Snowflake’

Gardening or planting is such an excellent habit to develop. The sense of responsibility the plants give us can apply to other commitments we have. It is not surprising that plants enable us to nurture and appreciate the uniqueness of different creations. As new plant lovers eventually learn and enjoy the additional benefits of having plants at home, various plants are popular. Among the favorite options are succulents. These beautiful creatures develop other features that catch the eyes of plant lovers. Continue reading this article and better know about a specific type of succulent called Euphorbia Polygona. We hope that this unique spiny succulent will capture your attention and get you more interested in knowing more about succulents and their different types.

Origin

Euphorbia Polygona is native to South Africa. This succulent is a feature of the vegetation of the Eastern Cape from Uitenhage to Albany division. It is locally dominant in very rocky areas where it grows socially, especially on quartzite fields.

Features

Euphorbia Polygona is also known for its common name, “Snowflake.” It is a spiny succulent with basally clumping. It has green stems and beautiful heads with tiny purple flowers. Euphorbia Polygona usually blooms from the late spring to summer season. The plant is cylindrical, deeply ribbed, with chalky white columns. Euphorbia Polygona stems are generally 5 feet tall and 4 inches in diameter. Each branch is dotted with bright yellow stamens and pollen. This plant also produces globose fruits with grey hairs and up to 0.2 inches in diameter. As Euphorbia Polygona ages, it will form clumps of upright columns with unequal lengths. It is heavily armed with spiny protuberances and has a lot of spines. Euphorbia Polygona is a perfect addition to beds, borders, and Mediterranean Gardens. It can easily be planted in containers for your floral arrangements.

Toxicity

Please take extra precautions as all parts of your Euphorbia Polygona are highly toxic if ingested. Euphorbias produces a milky sap that can cause severe skin irritation. It is advisable always to wear gloves when touching your Euphorbia Polygona.

Pests and Diseases

This type of plant is resilient to most pests and diseases. Euphorbia Polygona is also deer or rabbit resistant and is typically easy to take care of. Be mindful of mealybugs and aphids that can feast on your Euphorbia Polygona. Just spray 70% rubbing alcohol to your plant to remove these pests.

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Ideal Sunlight

Your Euphorbia Polygona thrives in full sunlight to light shade. The plants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. If you want to keep your Euphorbia Polygona as an indoor plant, make sure that you place it in a warm room with a very sunny window. Your plant will surely be happy to be placed on a windowsill. To ensure that your Euphorbia Polygona will thrive indoors, you may also use grow light to provide adequate lighting.

Ideal Temperature for Euphorbia Polygona

Typically, Euphorbia Polygona is not cold-hardy and cannot tolerate temperatures below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an area below the ideal temperature for your Euphorbia Polygona, it is advisable to plant it on a movable pot to transfer it indoors quickly.

Watering & Pot Requirements

Like other succulents, you need to be mindful to avoid overwatering your Euphorbia Polygona. A lot of succulents do not survive overwatering, and they eventually die. Overwatering caused fungal infection and root rot. After watering, the soil should dry up completely. It is also essential to use a proper pot for your succulents. Make sure that the pot has a lot of draining holes to allow the water to flow continuously to the bottom.

Fertilizer

Although not required, you made organic matter or fertilizer. If you are planting your plant in a pot with poor soil, it is advisable to feed it with half-strength every month.

Ideal Soil

Your Euphorbia Polygona is typically not picky on its soil. It can thrive when planted in a very draining mineral potting substrate. You may also use a cactus mixture and mineral grit for your plant.

Euphorbia Polygona Propagation

This type of plant is easy to propagate under the right conditions. The most common and effective method to propagate your Euphorbia Polygona is through cuttings.

• For the most successful outcome, propagation through cuttings should be done at the beginning of the summer
• Using clean scissors or a knife, cut a stem as close to the base
• Leave the cuttings for 2 to 3 days as they dry and until they develop callous
• Once the cuttings are dried out, you may now plant them in well-draining soil. It is also beneficial to dip the stem in a rooting hormone before planting to accelerate its growth
• Once planted, place the pot in a warm room and water lightly every few days
• Within a few weeks, check if the baby Euphorbia Polygona has developed roots already and continue to take good care of your plant

Another type of Euphorbia Polygona propagation is through leaves.

• Cut up to 3 to 4 leaves from the mother plant
• Place the leaves on a pot with a well-draining soil mixture
• Make sure to water lightly every few days to ensure that the soil is damp constantly
• After a week, the leaves should start to produce shoots
• These shoots with eventually turn into roots for your baby Euphorbia Polygona

All in all, we hope that this article gives you a better appreciation for Euphorbia Polygona. It is a very unique and beautiful succulent that is easy to grow. Your plant will thrive and bloom beautifully with formal elements such as sunlight, water, and soil. We hope you are now more excited and interested in getting to know other succulents. May you find the perfect succulents for your home.