Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata'

The spurge 'Cristata' is a decorative cactus-like plant whose wavy crest is particularly striking. This can be either whitish, yellow, light green or pink, with purple or ruby ​​edges. The unusual succulent is very easy to cultivate as it is not particularly demanding. That's why it's also suitable for lovers of the special who don't have much time and don't have a green thumb. You can find out everything you need to consider here.

particularities

The Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' belongs to the succulent plants of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) and originally comes from India and Sri Lanka. The plant is usually offered commercially as a comb-like growing form (Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata'). In botany, the term 'Cristata' stands for a wavy growth that occurs not only in cacti and succulents and is caused by mutation.

This form of euphorbia cannot survive on its own because it is very sensitive. Therefore, it must be grafted onto a robust base. Euphorbia trogona or Euphorbia neriifolia, for example, are suitable for this. So basically there are two plants.

Location

Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' likes sunshine and warm temperatures. Although the succulent plant should be as bright as possible, full sun is not absolutely necessary for healthy growth.

• Light requirements: sunny to very light semi-shade
• tolerates the blazing sun in winter
• avoid midday sun in summer
• warm during the vegetation phase (at least 20 degrees)
• also tolerates heat well
• southwest or west oriented window sill
• in sheltered locations in summer outdoor location possible

If you put the houseplant on the balcony or in the garden in summer, make sure that the euphorbia slowly gets used to the changed conditions. If it is placed directly in the blazing sun, it can easily burn. However, an acclimatization period of about two weeks with a little more light intensity every day should be sufficient.

During long periods of heat, it is best to place the succulent in a slightly more shady position and turn the plant occasionally so that the sunlight shines evenly on all sides. Otherwise it can happen that the plant grows crooked.

substrate

Like other succulent plants, the Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' does not tolerate wetness in the root area. One of the most important factors for healthy growth is therefore the right substrate for cultivation. A high-quality cactus soil is well suited, as it is already mixed with a high proportion of sand or other mineral substances.

• air permeable
• moisture retaining
• pH values ​​neutral or slightly acidic
• not calcareous
• nutritious humus

You can also make the substrate yourself. Good substrates consist of humus and a high mineral content, such as:

• 1/3 nutrient-rich hummus (very mature compost, good universal potting soil)
• 1/3 fine crumbly loam, fine pumice or clay
• Coarse-grain sand, fine lava granules, expanded clay granules

Care

The Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' is one of the uncomplicated indoor plants that are also suitable for hobby gardeners without a green thumb and a lot of time. They only require a minimum of attention and care to thrive well and healthily. Nevertheless, a few general measures are necessary so that the plant can decorate your home for a long time.

Pour

Newly purchased plants are still very sensitive in terms of their moisture balance. Therefore, keep your Euphorbia evenly moist in the first few years - even in winter. Otherwise there may be tension between the comb and the pad. But be sure to avoid waterlogging.

Summer

In the warm summer months, the Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' should be watered thoroughly at regular intervals. Keep adding water until the substrate can no longer absorb water. Alternatively, it is possible to submerge the pot for a few minutes. When diving, you should make sure that the base of the trunk is not in the water, otherwise it may start to rot.

Excess irrigation water must be removed from the coaster after a few minutes to prevent waterlogging. The soil should have dried well before the next watering. In the warm season, it is best to let the root ball only dry out well, but not completely.

winter

In the winter months, the succulent plant takes a break from growing and therefore needs to be watered less. Before each new watering, a finger test should be made to see whether the upper substrate layer has already dried. In this case, the plant is watered with restraint. You should avoid dipping the root ball in the cold season. Since the plant now only needs very little water, the roots quickly rot if they stand in very moist substrate for a long time.

Fertilize

Overall, the amounts of nutrients required by the grafted euphorbia are not particularly high. In addition, since the plant grows very slowly, it does not remove large amounts of nutrients from the soil. If the plant is repotted in fresh substrate every year, it does not require any additional fertilizer. If it stays longer in a substrate or in a very small pot, it should be planted between April and mid-August Fertilized every six to eight weeks with a little liquid fertilizer for cacti or succulents become.

Cut

Basically, a Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' only grows very slowly. Therefore, the succulent does not have to be cut. Only when sprouts grow out of the trunk do they have to be removed promptly. If the rootstock begins to sprout, this can in extreme cases lead to the grafted plant being rejected. Be sure to wear gloves when cutting, because the milky juices irritate the skin and mucous membranes. And after work, before the milky juice dries, wash the tool with water.

repot

Euphorbias are often commercially available in substrates with a high fibrous content. However, this material is not suitable for permanent cultivation. Therefore, the plant should be repotted for the first time immediately after purchase. Since the plant itself grows very slowly, the root balls rarely get too big for a pot. It is best to check in spring, before the new vegetation period begins, whether there is still enough space in the planter.

A good substrate that meets all requirements is more important than more space for the roots. If the Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' is watered with normal calcareous tap water, the pH value in the substrate can increase over time, which the succulent does not tolerate well. To prevent calcification and leaching of the substrate, regular repotting in fresh soil is recommended.

• Time: spring
• usually no larger pot necessary
• always wear gloves (leaky milk irritates the skin)
• Carefully shake off old, dry soil
• Fill in a layer of expanded clay or lava granulate drainage
• insert plant
• fill up with fresh substrate
• water lightly

In the following two weeks, the plant should not be placed in the blazing midday sun, but rather in partial shade so that it can recover from the shock. A larger and, above all, heavier pot is necessary if a fairly large plant needs to be protected from falling over.

hibernate

From around mid-November, the succulent takes a break from growing and should be overwintered in a cool but light place. The sun-kissed plant does not tolerate frost or temperatures below 10 degrees.

• bright
• Temperature between 14 and 16 degrees is optimal
• rather dry
• pour only very cautiously (in small sips)
• do not fertilize

toxicity

The milky sap of euphorbia serves as protection against predators and for wound closure. It escapes even the smallest damage to the plant and has a skin-irritating to highly caustic effect. The mucous membranes in the eyes, nose and mouth are particularly affected. Therefore, increased caution is required when handling spurge plants. If the juice gets on the skin, it should be washed off immediately with water, as it is no longer soluble in water when it has dried. In this case, use fatty solutions or emulsions such as milk or skin cream. In case of eye contact, a doctor should be consulted. Sensitive people already react to the vapors of the milky juice, so ensure adequate ventilation.

• touch only with gloves
• wear safety glasses
• releases corrosive fumes
• work in a well-ventilated area
• may cause skin irritation
• Contact with eyes can cause blindness
• ingestion causes vomiting and nausea

multiply

The natural form of Euphorbia lactata can be propagated by seeds, cuttings or offshoots. Since the 'Cristata' is a refined form of the plant, identical specimens can only be obtained by grafting onto an appropriate base. To make such a plant yourself, you will need:

• a Euphorbia neriifolia (rooted stem or cuttings)
• a Euphorbia lactea (mutation with comb-shaped shoots)

grafting/grafting

Step 1
Cut the rootstock at the desired height. Then use a sharp, clean knife to make a V-shaped incision. The sides of the cut should be slightly curved inwards. The top of the plant is discarded.

step 2
Point the Euphorbia lactea comb at the bottom in a V-shape. The shape and size must match the cut of the template as closely as possible. If the conductive vessels are not exactly on top of each other, the refinement will not work.

step 3
Insert the comb piece into the recess in the pad. The cut surfaces should fit tightly together. Close any open wounds with a bit of grafting wax to prevent loss of fluid and dehydration. If the comb does not hold well, it can be fixed with a ceramic pin (available from specialist retailers). This is inserted about halfway into the middle of the pad, then the comb is put on. The two parts of the plant are then either fixed with special grafting clips or wrapped with a strip of cotton fleece.

step 4
Protect the grafted plant from stress by watering it adequately (but not too liberally) and by protecting it from environmental extremes. A moderately warm location in partial shade is best for this purpose. You can protect the plant from excessive drying out by placing it in a greenhouse or store under a clear plastic protective cover until adhesion is complete is.

step 5
After a week or two, the interfaces should dry and the union should be complete. From now on, the grafted Euphorbia lactea will be supplied with water and nutrients and can slowly manage without a protective hood. However, continue to protect the succulent from extreme environmental influences for a few weeks. After about three weeks, you can also remove the clamps or the bandage.

diseases and pests

The succulent plant is generally only slightly susceptible to various diseases and is considered to be very robust. Nevertheless, if the care is not optimal or if the location is unsuitable, it can lead to infestation with pests or diseases.

root rot

If the comb or the base suddenly wilts or turns pale green, this usually indicates a fungal infestation caused by waterlogging. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, avoid large amounts of water, especially in winter. In most cases, the succulents can no longer be saved and must be disposed of. In the early stages, it can help to remove the wet soil, cut out any rotten or dead roots, and place the plant in fresh, dry soil.

mealybugs

Honeydew on the plant and waxy threads are a sign of a mealybug infestation. Careful washing or brushing with a damp, soft toothbrush can help in this case. Since infestation usually occurs in winter on indoor plants that are very warm and dry (above the heating), the euphorbia should be placed in a slightly cooler room with higher humidity become.

scale insects

Scaly insects on the rungs and in the folds of the comb indicate scale insects. These sucking insects also secrete honeydew, which may attract fungi. In addition to manual cleaning with water (protect the root ball with a plastic bag beforehand), insecticides or beneficial insects can stop the infestation.

Conclusion

Basically, this plant is cared for in the same way as other succulents and cacti. In summer they should be watered regularly and in winter they should be kept dry. The plants are particularly sensitive to waterlogging. Otherwise they are extremely robust.

Learn more about houseplants