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Euphorbia horrida
Succulents like sunny and semi-shaded locations.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. Reduce watering in winter.
It can withstand temperatures as low as -3.9 °C for short periods. However, the plant is not frost-resistant.
The adjective horrida comes from Latin and means "rough" or "bristly." It refers to the plant's distinctly spiny appearance, which is typical for this species.
Euphorbia horrida is an African species often referred to as African Milk Barrel. This name refers to its thick, cylindrical stems filled with milky sap, which is typical for the genus Euphorbia. The epithet horrida means “rough” or “bristly” and describes the strongly spiny appearance of the plant. It is a succulent native to Africa that resembles a cactus in form, although it belongs to a different botanical group.
The plant has cylindrical stems with pronounced ribs. Stem color ranges from blue-grey to grey-green. The ribs are lined with orange to grey spiny structures, which are dried remnants of cyathium stalks. These structures are stiff and can reach lengths of up to about 4 cm. With age, the plant forms a dense clump of multiple stems.
The cyathia, which are the flowers, are greenish yellow and appear along the ribs near the upper parts of the stems. Flowering takes place during summer.
For cultivation, a very well-draining substrate and a bright position are suitable. Watering should be done carefully, allowing the substrate to dry well between waterings. Euphorbia horrida is a striking houseplant that fits well even in smaller succulent collections.