Euphorbia milii

Euphorbia milii

Biggest Plant Dictionary | Euphorbia milii | Euphorbia milii (Crown-of-thorns or Christ Plant) is a woody, succulent species of Euphorbia  native to Madagascar. The species name commemorates Baron Milius, once governor of Réunion, who introduced the species to France in 1821.

It is suspected that the species was introduced to the Middle East in ancient times, and legend associates it with the crown of thorns worn by Jesus. Euphorbia milii, commonly called the Crown of Thorns, is an old pot and house plant. In the tropics & subtropics it has been long used as a landscape plant, valued for its toughness and possibly even more for being inedible to cattle.

Euphorbia milii

Originating in Madagascar, several different clones of this orange red flowering succulent are common plants in tropical and subtropical areas- as a child I helped my mother to grow two large specimens with thick trunks in her balcony collection- they thrived for years, kept in check with bi-annual pruning- I remember the thorns and milky sap during this operation quite vividly.

Euphorbia milil

Other hybrids were made, the most notable effort being by Somona in Germany: again the details are not known to me but the hybrids were definitely well established in the early 90's and were specially selected for the European pot plant market. These were all crosses using Euphorbia milii and Euphorbia lophogona. The latter is a good pot plant, takes shade, flowers freely (white to dark pink flowers) and has thick, shining green leaves with grayish vein markings. It's only down side is that it is not self branching. 

Normally there are  3 sizs  4, 6 ,8 inches height.

Euphorbia miliil

Euphorbia milii

Light: Bright light to full sun.

Water: Allow the top 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil to dry out between waterings. Water less in winter when the plant rests. Also, avoid getting water on the leaves and stems because they can rot if they get too wet.

Humidity: Average to dry room humidity.

Temperature: Grows best with average room temperatures 60-75°F, 16-24°C; A cooler winter rest of 55°F/13° will help it to bloom.

Soil: A fast-draining medium such as cactus potting mix works best.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring through fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half. In winter, feed monthly.

Propagation: Take 3 in (7.5 cm) stem cuttings in spring or summer. Dip the cut ends in warm water for a few minutes to stop the flow of sap then allow to dry for 24 hours before inserting into barely moist potting mix. Cuttings will root in about 6 weeks.

Still a lot of people wrong perception  that the poison was synonymous with death, or severe pain at least directly.  probably because of the poison symbol images of bones and skulls pake ya? Yes indeed certain types of toxins can make a goodbye like cyanide, but not all. In fact  there is poison that's just cause mual2  only. in fact many people smoke (smoke from  tobacco toxins weight class) but why not die immediately and not sick.  nah, let alone  if not poison into the body.

Euphorbia milii

Euphorbia milii