Euphorbia tithymaloides (yoo-FOR-bee-uh tith-ee-mal-OY-deez)
Family: EuphorbiaceaeNon-nativeShrub (3-15 ft)
Shrub (3-15 ft)Non-native
The devil's backbone is an erect succulent shrub that is native to the subtropical areas of Florida, Central America, and South America. It grows from 2 to 10 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide and has green, zigzag shaped branches. It is a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The specific epithet, tithymaloides , means resembling the genus Tithymalus which is now a synonym for Euphorbia. Tithymalus is an ancient Greek name for a group of plants with white milky sap. This plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained, potting mix that is used for succulents. Water this plant when the soil becomes dry 1 to 2 inches below the surface. The devil's backbone does best with temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Average to high humidity is well-tolerated. It can be propagated by stem cuttings. The devil's backbone has simple, alternate, green leaves. The leaves are smooth, ovate with pointed tips, and entire to wavy margins. They measure 3.2 inches long and 2 inches wide. The flowers appear in mid-spring as cymes and are clustered at the ends of the branches and have bright red bracts. This plant is used as an ornamental and will add interest as a container plant or houseplant. In warmer climates, consider planting in a rock garden or as a border planting. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Devil's backbone has very few pests or diseases. Monitor for mealybugs and spider mites. Overwatering can cause root rot. The foliage can burn from too much direct sunlight. Leggy growth is caused by too little light. Leaf drop will occur if the soil is too dry. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Euphorbia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Undulate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are alternate, simple, pointed, and medium green and sometimes with white edging. They are ovate to elliptical and measure up to 3.2 inches long and 2 inches wide.
Flower color
Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower detail
A two-lipped red bract surrounds a tiny red flower. The flowers cluster at the ends of the branches. Blooming occurs in late spring or early summer. The plant rarely flowers indoors.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Stems are in a zigzag pattern and contain poisonous milky sap.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Florida to Tropical Americas and Mexico
Distribution
Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Bermuda Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos, Venezuela, and the United States--FL. Introduced: Chad, French Guiana, Gambia, Hawaii, Malawi, Marshall Island, Mozambique, and Wake Island
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Play value
Easy to Grow
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Landscape theme
Rock Garden
Design feature
Border
Garden tags
#red flowers #poisonous #milky sap #houseplant #shrub #problem for children #problem for dogs #problem for cats #contact dermatitis #container plant #poisonous if ingested #clumping
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
Resistant to
Drought; Dry Soil; Poor Soil
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Sap/Juice
Poison symptoms
The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.