Canary Spurge, Euphorbia canariensis

The Canary Spurge bears the botanical name Euphorbia canariensis and belongs to the Spurge family. The cactus species is endemic to the Canary Islands and is one of the characteristic succulents there. The strong pillars of the Euphorbia canariensis branch upwards in the shape of a candlestick and can grow to a height of 3 to 5 m in the Canary Islands. When cultivated indoors, growth usually stays below 1 m in height. The succulent is poisonous and forms inconspicuous inflorescences with good care and the right site conditions.

Location & plant substrate

The Euphorbia canariensis is a particularly light-hungry plant, an insufficient supply with sunlight leads to a weak immune system and susceptibility to diseases and pests. Since the plant is not hardy, year-round cultivation in the fresh air is out of the question. The plant substrate should be tailored to the similar needs of cacti. The following aspects should be considered with regard to the location and the plant substrate:

• needs a very bright location, with several hours of sunshine a day
• South-facing window sills are ideal, and can also withstand the blazing midday heat
• north-facing window sills are unsuitable
• warm temperatures all year round are ideal
• suitable for cultivation in a heated greenhouse in full sun
• Use cactus soil with about 30% mineral additives as a plant substrate
• Soil should always be permeable, drainage is an advantage

watering & fertilizing

Watering the Canary Spurge depends on the time of year, weather, pot size and size, but generally needs less water than plants from native latitudes. The plant is not particularly demanding when it comes to nutrients and mainly pulls them out of the ground. However, if the substrate is very poor in nutrients, deficiency symptoms quickly appear, including slowed growth and poor flowering, which can be remedied with fertilizer. The following criteria must be observed when watering and fertilizing:

• Water as needed during the growing season, do not water in winter
• water only when the substrate is almost completely dry
• then water thoroughly until the substrate is completely soaked
• watering over an immersion bath is ideal
• use a weak dose of cactus fertilizer once in summer
• fertilize once a month in case of deficiency symptoms

shoots & flowers

Euphorbia canariensis is a cactus-like perennial resembling a candlestick or candelabra. The plant can grow to extremely large specimens in its homeland, reaching several meters in height. With indoor cultivation, however, the growth heights remain manageable:

• reaches a growth height of 3-5 m when growing wildly, and up to 1 m high when cultivated indoors
• columnar growth, with strong branching
• Upright shoots are square in cross-section
• Shoots are green, grey-green to dark grey-green
• Thorns are directed upwards
• forms purple capsules
• Milky juice contains diterpenes and is toxic!
• forms inconspicuous flowers

repot

In the local latitudes, the Canary Spurge grows much more slowly than in its homeland, but over time it forms strong roots and long columns even in indoor culture. If the roots get out of hand and look out of the planter, then repotting is the order of the day:

• plants approx. repot every two years
• select new planter large enough for future growth
• Completely replace the substrate
• new substrate should contain sufficient amount of humus and mineral additives

hibernate

The Euphorbia canariensis also likes it warm in winter, the plant must not cool down under any circumstances, otherwise the shoots may die off. If the temperatures are too cold, the Canary Spurge first develops black spots and then rots. Higher temperatures during the winter do not harm, e.g. B. 20-25 °C, and do not have a negative effect on flowering. The following aspects are crucial when overwintering:

• needs temperature values ​​of min. 12 °C, better and safer are min. 15ºC
• large specimens are particularly sensitive to cold
• Keep dry, do not water
• keep completely dry from early November to around March/April
• do not water even in very warm locations
• even small amounts of water can lead to immediate rot

multiply

The Canary Spurge can be propagated by cuttings, but this does not work in autumn or winter, as these do not root during this time. Due to the toxicity of the milky juice, rubber gloves must be worn during the process, and in the case of severe sensitivities or allergies, goggles and a face mask must be worn. The following procedure has proven itself when propagating:

• The ideal time for propagation with cuttings is spring
• Only cut off mature shoot tips, approx. 15cm long
• Cut as thinly as possible to keep the wound area small
• use sharp knife to avoid bruises
• Thoroughly remove foul spots and coagulated latex
• Allow the cut cuttings to bleed out in a glass of water for several minutes
• Place the cuttings in a dry and shady place
• approx. Let it dry for 3-6 weeks and wait until the wound has completely healed
• Pot the cutting and keep it warm, shady and slightly moist
• when new growth appears again, care for the young plant normally

Diseases & Pests

The Canary Spurge is a very robust and hardy plant that is not particularly susceptible to diseases and pests. However, if the site conditions are not right and errors in care have crept in, the following symptoms can occur:

• insufficient supply of sunlight leads to vergelution
• Vergeilung is manifested by light green, thin and extremely weak shoots
• plants once wilted are completely ruined
• only possible rescue via cuttings from still healthy shoots

Editor's conclusion

The Canary Spurge is a cactus-like plant that can also be cultivated in the home with good care and suitable site conditions. However, the columnar perennial needs consistently high temperatures and plenty of sunlight even in winter so that it can thrive. If the temperatures drop below 10-12 °C and there is no sun, the Euphorbia canariensis can quickly die off. Although the Canary Spurge does not hibernate, it should not be watered in winter. Propagation is possible with cuttings, but it is a bit complicated and does not always lead to success. The spurge is an unusual plant that is a nice reminder of your last stay in the Canary Islands, as it is very common there.

Worth knowing about the candelabra spurge shortly

• The candelabra spurge looks like a cactus with its thick pillars branching out on either side.
• But it belongs to the spurge family.
• It grows very quickly in good conditions and is therefore best suited for high ceilings.
• If necessary, however, individual sections can also be cut off in order to draw new plants from them.

Care

The candelabra spurge should get a bright location near a window, but does not necessarily need direct sun. From spring to autumn it is only occasionally watered, but then plentifully. The potting soil should be completely dry between two waterings. In winter, watering is even less, if the plant is in a room with a temperature below 15° C during this time, watering is even stopped completely by spring. In the summer months it is advisable to provide the Euphorbia Ingens with the necessary nutrients with a little cactus fertilizer.
The candelabra spurge can be cultivated as a houseplant all year round, because even dry heating air in winter does not bother it. In summer it can be on the terrace before the outside temperature drops below 10°C, but it must be brought back inside as it does not tolerate temperatures below 6°C.

pruning and propagation

The Euphorbia Ingens grows very quickly and can sometimes become too large. Then it is possible to shorten them a little or separate individual branches. However, caution is required here, because the milky juice that escapes when cutting is poisonous and irritating and must therefore not get on the skin and, above all, not in the eyes. To stop the discharge of milky sap from the plant, the interfaces can be dabbed with hot water. Cut parts of the Euphorbia can be planted in a separate pot to grow a new plant. However, the cut surfaces should dry a little beforehand. Then they are simply placed on the new substrate, supported if necessary and kept only slightly moist until they are well established.

diseases and treatment

The candelabra spurge reacts very sensitively to waterlogging or too much water and then quickly begins to rot. Therefore, watering should always be very sparing and excess water should be removed from the cachepot. A plant that has already begun to rot in parts may be saved by liberally cutting off the diseased parts. This cut should be done as soon as possible to prevent the rot from spreading further. After the cut, it is important to examine the interfaces carefully. If you can still see brown spots, remove another piece, but first the knife should be disinfected with a little alcohol.

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