Myrtle Spurge Plant Care

Myrtle Spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Euphorbia genus. Myrtle Spurge is native to Southern Europe, Western Asia. Myrtle Spurge is also known as Creeping Spurge, Donkey Tail.

Myrtle Spurge displays a varies by species, can be upright, sprawling, or clumping growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Myrtle Spurge produces small, often inconspicuous flowers surrounded by colorful bracts.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Myrtle Spurge every 14–21 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Myrtle Spurge thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Euphorbia myrsinites tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Myrtle Spurge prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with perlite and gravel. Good drainage is essential for Myrtle Spurge to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Myrtle Spurge every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with perlite and gravel. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Myrtle Spurge is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Myrtle Spurge can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Myrtle Spurge while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Myrtle Spurge is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Myrtle Spurge can be propagated through stem cuttings, offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to poinsettia plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Myrtle Spurge is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Myrtle Spurge grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Myrtle Spurge is native to Southern Europe, Western Asia. In cooler regions, grow Myrtle Spurge as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.