Reviewed public profile
The Crown of Thorns
Euphorbia milii
Other names: Christ plant, Christ’s thorn Comes from the family of Euphorbiaceae. It is a woody, succulent subshrub or shrub growing up to 1.8m tall, depending on cultivar, with densely spiny stems. Some varieties grow in a more horizontal, sprawling, or prostrate manner, while others grow nearly vertically. Certain cultivars are prized for their thinner stems, while many, especially the Thai hybrids, have considerably thicker, substantial stems, measuring several inches in diameter. Just as the flowers and growth habit can vary by cultivar, so too can the sharpness/bluntness or shape and consistency of the spines. On most varieties, the spines will measure up to 3 cm long, and aid the plant in scrambling over other plants, eventually forming a dense and impenetrable wall. The fleshy, green leaves are found mainly on new growth and are up to 3.5 cm long and 1.5 cm broad. Several variegated varieties exist in cultivation. The flowers are small, subtended by a pair of conspicuous petal-like bracts, variably red, pink or white, up to 12 mm.
Open in BJURNY appGrowing profile
At a glance
- Plant type
- shrub
- Size
- large 30–100cm
- Humidity
- 35%–50%
Native context
Where it belongs
- Countries
- Madagascar
- Ecosystems
- Scrub / Steppe
- Elevation
- Montane (1,000–2,000 m)
- Flowering
- Year-round, Spring, Summer
About this plant
Other names: Christ plant, Christ’s thorn Comes from the family of Euphorbiaceae. It is a woody, succulent subshrub or shrub growing up to 1.8m tall, depending on cultivar, with densely spiny stems. Some varieties grow in a more horizontal, sprawling, or prostrate manner, while others grow nearly vertically. Certain cultivars are prized for their thinner stems, while many, especially the Thai hybrids, have considerably thicker, substantial stems, measuring several inches in diameter. Just as the flowers and growth habit can vary by cultivar, so too can the sharpness/bluntness or shape and consistency of the spines. On most varieties, the spines will measure up to 3 cm long, and aid the plant in scrambling over other plants, eventually forming a dense and impenetrable wall. The fleshy, green leaves are found mainly on new growth and are up to 3.5 cm long and 1.5 cm broad. Several variegated varieties exist in cultivation. The flowers are small, subtended by a pair of conspicuous petal-like bracts, variably red, pink or white, up to 12 mm.
Stable BJURNY record: tx_750652f76dbd4a238961