Euphorbia palustris: characteristic and growing guide

EUPHORBIA PALUSTRIS FOR CONSTANT MOISTURE SOILS

Euphorbia is a very extensive genus. It has countless species (thousands) among which are included from trees to plants. The genre is well known for one in particular that we have already talked about. Euphorbia pulcherrima or Poinsettia .

Today we will talk about a very different one, Euphorbia palustris , whose virtue lies in being a plant with a foliage that changes color according to the season.

There are gardens of all kinds, even with high humidity in the soil.

In some cases, either due to the course of a nearby stream, water tables close to the surface, or simply underground runoff, we find lands or garden areas where the soil remains with constant humidity .

In these cases, the ornamental flower growing options should be studied in more detail. The lack of water can be made up for with irrigation, but the excess water cannot be removed .

We must find plants with a fondness for soil moisture. We are not looking for a plant that develops in water like a water lily, but rather those that, even tolerating a significant amount of water, need substrate and soil to develop .

One of these plants that gives good ornamental results and has a lot of presence is Euphorbia palustris.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF  EUPHORBIA PALUSTRIS

Euphorbia palustris is a fast growing perennial plant, reaching one meter in height in 2 or 3 years . It forms clumps and is a complement to those flowerbeds and beds of ornamental plants and / or flowers, providing a touch of different foliage.

Its flowers are greenish, forming small groups. They turn yellow as spring progresses, but what is most striking is their variation in the color of the foliage.

As spring, summer and fall follow each other, the leaves change from green to yellow and finally to orange before dying until the following year. This characteristic is what has given it a certain fame in the world of ornamental gardening.

The plant is toxic like all “Euphorbias”. Not even the poinsettia is spared. We already talked in their day about cats and their habit of purging themselves by eating the leaves of indoor plants and how the poinsettia could play a very trick on them.

BE CAREFUL, IT IS A TOXIC PLANT

Euphorbia palustris sap is irritating so the use of gloves is recommended for handling . Likewise, it is essential to grow it away from small children and pets.

List of toxic toxic plants that you should keep away from home

IN WHAT CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY DOES EUPHORBIA PALUSTRIS ADAPT  ?

It is considered very resistant, reaching -20ºC. Prefers sunny or semi-shady exposures .

It is a species that cannot stand summer hot flashes. If it is grown in hot places, it can be difficult and expensive to maintain because the humidity it requires in the soil constantly does not make it suitable for areas of high evaporation.

It can occur more easily in cooler inland areas of the north central and humid coastal areas of northern Spain.

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS 

Moist soil .

That is your condition. Not waterlogged (although it is able to tolerate and survive), but permanently wet. In fact its common name is “mash spurge” whose translation is something like “Swamp Euphorbia”.

That gives an idea of ​​the conditions of the substrate. In semi-shady areas, humid soil conditions are better maintained and it will develop better without having to continually pay attention to irrigation.

The soil must be rich in organic matter , well drained and supports slightly acidic to slightly basic soils.

FERTILIZER AND IRRIGATION

Irrigation can be assumed. Not too abundant but frequent to maintain constant humidity.

If the climatic zone is rainy or you have a particularly humid garden area, you will have something less to worry about.

It can be fertilized during the spring with balanced fertilizer. Compost and peat are adequate for the contribution of organic matter it needs.

PRUNING AND MULTIPLICATION OF  EUPHORBIA PALUSTRIS

During the fall the stems will die. Pruning will consist of cutting them at ground level when they are already withered .

It can be multiplied by cutting during the summer or the seeds can be planted in a rich and conveniently watered and maintained substrate (not a warm bed).

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