Black Spined Euphorbia Plant Care

Black Spined Euphorbia (Euphorbia nigrispinoides) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Euphorbia genus. Black Spined Euphorbia is native to Ethiopia. Black Spined Euphorbia is also known as African Milk Barrel.

Black Spined Euphorbia 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. Black Spined Euphorbia produces small, often inconspicuous flowers surrounded by colorful bracts.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Black Spined Euphorbia 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.

Black Spined Euphorbia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Euphorbia nigrispinoides tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Black Spined Euphorbia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

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

Feed Black Spined Euphorbia 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.

Black Spined Euphorbia 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.

Black Spined Euphorbia 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 Black Spined Euphorbia 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.

Black Spined Euphorbia 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.

Black Spined Euphorbia can be propagated through stem cuttings, offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to crown of thorns plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Black Spined Euphorbia 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.

Black Spined Euphorbia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Black Spined Euphorbia is native to Ethiopia. In cooler regions, grow Black Spined Euphorbia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.