Euphorbia Prostrata: Know How to Care About it

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Source:Plantsam.com

Plants breathe life into a home. They look wonderful as a part of the décor and can have health benefits too. Gardening can be in an actual garden or caring for your potted plants on your balcony. Whatever the case, gardening can be a relaxing and interesting activity. Euphorbia prostrata is a plant that you can grow both in your garden and in a pot.

Euphorbia prostrata is also called Ground Spurge, Prostrate Sandmat, and Prostrate Spurge. It is commonly found in central parts of the United States of America and tropical and subtropical parts of America. It has been brought to other parts of the world as well. In India, it is not just a nice addition to your home. It is also known for the medicinal use of its extract.

Euphorbia prostrata has deep green oval leaves with a red hue on the border and thick red stems with a tinge of purple. Its look makes it an attractive addition to a home. They look cute as they are packed in a cluster. This is a prostrate plant which means it grows close to the ground.

Let’s learn more about this plant!

Euphorbia Prostrata- Important facts

Species Name	Euphorbia Prostrata
Common name	Spurge
Type of plant	Annual, weed
Taxonomic Tree [2]
Family	Euphorbiaceae
Domain	Eukaryota
Genus	Euphorbia
Phylum	Spermatophyta

Rate of growth	Rapid
Use	Decorative and medicinal
Leaf color	Green
Flower	It has flowers that are greenish-white in color.
Toxicity	It is toxic to humans and pets.

How to grow Euphorbia Prostrata in your house?

Methods

There are two main ways of growing this plant.

Using seeds

You can grow Euphorbia prostrata using its seeds. However, it is not so easy to get them because the germination of the seeds (beginning of its growth) is difficult. Even when they begin growing, they don’t survive for long.

If you can get the seeds, then this is the method:

Take coarse sand and an equal amount of seed growing mix available in the market.
Sow the seeds in this mixture. The best time for this is spring.

In warm weather, germination can take 1 to 2 weeks. However, in cold weather, it can take 2 to 6 months. Therefore, it is better to do it when it is warm.

Using cuttings of the plant

The usual way of growing this plant is propagation. It means you use a part of the Euphorbia prostrata to grow a new one. However, the plant oozes latex when cut. This latex is a thick white liquid that can cause irritation to your skin if it comes in contact with it. So, wear gloves when doing this. Cutting is also useful as pruning the plant can ensure healthy growth.

Here is how you can do it:

Take a clean knife or any tool you use for cutting and cut a branch. Clean the tool to avoid touching the latex.
Take the cut stems and let them dry for 2 to 3 days. Allowing these to dry will prevent the formation of any rot on it and the tissue will be able to form properly.
Plant these stems in a clean vessel that does not have soil as the medium to grow. Instead, use organic or non-organic material for the growth to start. This soilless material like peat moss acts as a sterile environment. However, if you use soil, there is no surety about what is in it.
Spray these cuttings very lightly with water regularly. Cover the vessel with a plastic bag or a foil to seal the moisture inside.
Remove the covering (foil or plastic bag) for 2 hours daily to prevent excess moisture and give enough air to the stems. If you don’t remove the covering regularly, mold can develop and ruin the cuttings.
Check to see if the cuttings have formed a root system. When they do, you can put them in the soil to be planted.

Requirements to grow Euphorbia Prostrata

Euphorbia prostrata has certain requirements for its survival and growth. These are:

Sunlight- This plant requires plenty of sunlight. An ample amount of sunlight ensures good growth for this plant. If this plant is kept indoors, a minimum of 6 hours is required in direct sunlight for its development.
Water- This plant requires it to be watered weekly during hot summers. The leaves are succulent, yet the plant cannot survive long periods without water.
Temperature- This plant can develop well in temperatures ranging from -29°C to 4°C.
Soil- This plant can grow in various types of soils, even those low in nutrients. It just requires well-drained soil. If the soil is prone to retain water and, thus, filled with moisture, this can lead to rot on the roots.

When planted successfully, Euphorbia prostrata grows up to 20 cm in height.

Where should you plant Euphorbia Prostrata?

You can plant the Euphorbia prostrata in many places.

You can use a pot of suitable material to plant. Then, you can keep this on your balcony, terrace, patio, etc., in the open.
A garden is also nice to plant, where it can get sunlight easily, and the soil is loose and well-drained.
You can also plant it indoors on a covered patio.

How to take care of Euphorbia Prostrata?

Here are some key points about taking care of Euphorbia prostrata:

Watering at the time of planting- When you first plant the Euphorbia prostrata, water it just once. Do not overwater it at this point because too much stagnant water is not good for this plant.
Watering after planting- This plant does not require a lot of water. Watering regularly once a week, especially in their growing season, is necessary. During mild weather conditions (temperate), the plant doesn’t need that much water.
Fertilizer- This plant can do well with small amounts of fertilizers. The plant can grow in poor-quality soil as well if they are well-drained. Fertilizer is only necessary when it starts showing signs of low nutrition such as a change in the color of lower leaves to yellow. In such a case, adding a half-strength liquid fertilizer to the soil can improve the plant’s condition and save it.
Pruning- Pruning generally helps keep the plant healthy. Always wear gloves when doing it. Any damaged stems in early spring need to be cut to distribute the nutrients well for the plant’s health. Pruning is also necessary if there are any wilted leaves or dry ones. After the plant blooms, it is good to cut some stems to encourage consistent flowering and further growth. Remember to cut the stem at its base when pruning.
Pests or diseases- Any plant can get pests or diseases. Euphorbia prostrata may get infected with mealy bugs, spider mites, etc. To prevent this, avoid watering the plant too much. Excess moisture can invite these issues. If the plant is already infected with diseases, use pesticides.

Why Isn’t the Euphorbia Prostrata Blooming?

There may be various reasons for this plant not to reach the blooming stage.

The plant might be getting insufficient sunlight. As it needs a lot of sunlight to grow, a lack of it can prevent its blooming. If this plant is kept indoors, keeping it outside daily for at least 6 hours can lead it to bloom.
Even though this plant doesn’t need a lot of water, if the minimum required amount is not provided, the plant may not bloom. Therefore, water the Euphorbia prostrata regularly to give the needed moisture.
Absence or low amount of nutrients in the soil may prevent blooming. Using a fertilizer can give the plant all the necessary nutrients to grow and flourish.

Why might the Euphorbia Prostrata be dying?

There can be many reasons for your Euphorbia prostrata to be in the state of dying.

Lack of water- The water requirement is not high for this plant. However, not watering it at all can lead to dehydration and eventually lead to its death. Check if you are watering the plant sufficiently.
Too much water- Watering the plant too much can be harmful. Too much water leads to its accumulation in the soil. This, in turn, creates an environment for bacteria, root rot, and fungi to grow and thrive. Over-watering can also cause brown spots to appear on the plant. In such conditions, the plant will start to die.
Too much heat- This plant enjoys a lot of sunlight. However, there is still a limit to what it needs to stay healthy. If the plant is exposed to direct sunlight continuously for a very long time, it can die.
Pests and infections- The plant might be infected with pests like mealybugs. Mealybugs can be seen on the top of the branches and flowers. The plant may have spider mites if you see spider webs. Different pests have different treatments. Use the one suitable for the issue you see in your plant. If these problems go unnoticed, the plant will eventually die. Check the plant regularly for any diseases or infections. Treating it with appropriate pesticides will kill the pests.

Medicinal uses of Euphorbia Prostrata

The extract of Euphorbia prostrata is used to treat hemorrhoids. It is because it can stop the bleeding by shrinking the blood vessels. It is also an antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory. It has tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acid that give anti-inflammatory properties which help relieve the inflammation and pain from hemorrhoids.

The extract is available in medicated form as tablets. This medication is also useful for treating varicose veins, bronchitis, and asthma. A doctor can advise the right usage for it. Using the plant directly has limited research. You should be careful using it as it is.

Toxicity of Euphorbia Prostrata

Euphorbia prostrata can be toxic if one is exposed to its latex, a milky white thick liquid. According to the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, latex from this plant can irritate the eyes and skin. The exposure can even cause intense inflammation of the eye and skin. This sap or latex keeps herbivores away but can also be a problem for those growing this plant. According to a horticulturist, the skin that is exposed to the sap can become photosensitive, and if someone handles it without gloves in the sun, they can end up having blisters. If someone’s hand comes in contact with the sap, they should wash it with water and soap to make sure the sap is washed off completely. If it enters the eyes, it can cause conjunctivitis and, in extreme cases, blindness. You should consult a doctor if your eyes are exposed.

However, reasonable precautions like always wearing gloves and goggles when handling Euphorbia prostrata can prevent any harm.

Euphorbia Prostrata- A great choice with low maintenance

Euphorbia prostrata is a splendid pick for those who have limited knowledge of gardening or are new to it. If you want an attractive plant to be a part of your home but do not want a lot of hassle in taking care of it, you can go for this plant. Watering it weekly and providing it with a good amount of sunlight are enough for the plant to grow. Avoid any contact with the plant’s latex.

FAQs

Is a pencil cactus a euphorbia like the Euphorbia prostrata?

Yes, it is Euphorbia. Like the Euphorbia prostrata, it belongs to the flowering plant family of Euphorbiaceae.

Is the stem of Euphorbia prostrata aromatic?

No, it does not have any aroma.

When does the Euphorbia prostrata flower?

This plant usually flowers in the summer or early part of the fall.

Do the seeds produced by Euphorbia prostrata become dormant (inactive)?

No, the seeds do not become dormant. Instead, they stay active, which is why they germinate quickly.

How many varieties of Euphorbia plants are there?

There are over 2000 varieties of this plant. They vary in structure and properties depending on where they originate and grow.

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