Triangle Spurge Plant Care

Euphorbia triangularis Desf.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Euphorbia triangularis, commonly known as river naboom, river euphorbia, chandelier-tree or tree euphorbia, is a species of plant in the family Euphorbiaceae native to southern Africa.

🌿Shrubs🪴Houseplants🌵Succulents
Water

Every 14–21 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Triangle Spurge?

Plant Triangle Spurge in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 14–21 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Triangle Spurge Native To?

Native range10 countries

What Is the Triangle Spurge?

Triangle Spurge (Euphorbia triangularis) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Euphorbia genus. Triangle Spurge is native to southern Africa.

Triangle 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. Triangle Spurge produces small, often inconspicuous flowers surrounded by colorful bracts.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Triangle Spurge?

Water a young or newly planted Triangle 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 14–21 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Triangle Spurge Need?

Triangle Spurge thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Triangle Spurge Prefer?

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

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Triangle Spurge?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Triangle Spurge?

Feed Triangle 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Triangle Spurge?

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.

Triangle 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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Triangle Spurge?

Triangle 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.

How Do You Prune a Triangle Spurge?

Prune Triangle 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.

How Do You Care for a Triangle Spurge in Winter?

Triangle 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.

How Do You Propagate a Triangle Spurge?

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

Is the Triangle Spurge Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

Mildly toxic if ingested, can cause skin irritation

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

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

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Triangle Spurge?

Triangle 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Triangle Spurge Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Triangle Spurge is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Euphorbia genus — compare its care with other Euphorbia species on PlantoScan.

Euphorbia is part of the Euphorbiaceae plant family — browse all Euphorbiaceae genera and species.

Triangle Spurge thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Euphorbia Species

Other Euphorbia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Euphorbia triangularis Desf., family Euphorbiaceae (first published in Sukkul. Euphorb. : 57 (1907 publ. 1906)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Triangle Spurge is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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