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Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' (Candelabra cactus 'Cristata')
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.9m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata'
Other names
Candelabra cactus 'Cristata', Crested candelabra cactus, Dragon's bones 'Cristata', Mottled spurge 'Cristata', Candelabrum spurge 'Cristata', False cactus 'Cristata', Crested elkhorn, Euphorbia lactea f. cristata
Genus
Euphorbia Euphorbia
Variety or Cultivar
'Cristata' _ 'Cristata' is a variable, tender shrub, usually with a succulent, triangular, spiny, often patterned, mid- to dark green stem bearing fan-shaped, undulating, sometimes purple-flushed, mid- to grey-green branch.
Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' is: Evergreen
Habit
Erect
Toxicity
Sap causes severe skin irritation & severe eye pain, including temporary blindness that can last several days. All parts are highly toxic, possibly fatal, if ingested.
Flower
Insignificant or absent in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green, Flushed purple, Striped in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Mealybugs Mealybugs
Grey mould Grey mould
General care
Pruning
No pruning required.
Propagation
Sow seed as soon as ripe at 15-20C.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings, Stem tip cuttings
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Where to grow
Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' (Candelabra cactus 'Cristata') will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Greenhouse, Indoor, Low Maintenance, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in 3 parts loam-based compost, 1 part grit in full light. Ventilate well. In growth, water sparingly & apply low-nitrogen liquid feed monthly; keep dry in winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in well-drained soil in full sun. This plant is created by grafting Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' to a Euphorbia neriifolia base.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata'
Other names
Candelabra cactus 'Cristata', Crested candelabra cactus, Dragon's bones 'Cristata', Mottled spurge 'Cristata', Candelabrum spurge 'Cristata', False cactus 'Cristata', Crested elkhorn, Euphorbia lactea f. cristata
Genus
Euphorbia Euphorbia
Variety or Cultivar
'Cristata' _ 'Cristata' is a variable, tender shrub, usually with a succulent, triangular, spiny, often patterned, mid- to dark green stem bearing fan-shaped, undulating, sometimes purple-flushed, mid- to grey-green branch.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Erect
Toxicity
Sap causes severe skin irritation & severe eye pain, including temporary blindness that can last several days. All parts are highly toxic, possibly fatal, if ingested.
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green, Flushed purple, Striped in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
No pruning required.
Propagation
Sow seed as soon as ripe at 15-20C.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings, Stem tip cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' (Candelabra cactus 'Cristata') will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Greenhouse, Indoor, Low Maintenance, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in 3 parts loam-based compost, 1 part grit in full light. Ventilate well. In growth, water sparingly & apply low-nitrogen liquid feed monthly; keep dry in winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in well-drained soil in full sun. This plant is created by grafting Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' to a Euphorbia neriifolia base.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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