Spurges are often confused with cacti. They are really similar to the latter - thanks to the faceted fleshy stem and extreme drought tolerance. But the houseplant Euphorbia (the photo will help to identify some differences from cacti) is a representative of another family.
Europhytes number about two thousand species, live in different climatic zones. Among them there are representatives of both dioecious and monoecious plants. Euphorbia indoors mostly come from South Africa and Madagascar. In terms of numbers, they are in third place among succulents.
Spurge indoors - characteristic features, popular species
These plants exude abundant juice at the slightest damage. This milky liquid contributed to the assignment of a characteristic name to these succulents. It has a number of specific features - the euphorin contained in it causes inflammation of the mucous membranes, burns, and poisoning. In addition to this substance, the composition of the milky juice includes rubber, amino acids, essential oils, resins, stearin and various sugars. Take extra care when transplanting this plant.
Be on the lookout forchildren in your home - do not let them take milkweed leaves in their mouths.
The most popular species is white-veined spurge. In indoor floriculture, it is popular due to the emerald color of the original leaves. White veins contrast with long reddish petioles. Leaves grow only at the top of the plant. This flower is very similar to a kind of palm tree.
Spurge indoor: reproduction and conditions of detention
This plant blooms with unremarkable small threads. The inflorescences are sticky from the nectar covering them. The peculiarity that indoor euphorbia have is shooting boxes with seeds. This occurs after fruit ripening.
Thus, milkweed seeds can easily end up in a pot with another indoor flower and take root there. This is easy to prevent - you just need to wipe the inflorescence with a napkin, soaking the juice. In order to remove the seeds for the purpose of reproduction, the shoot can be tied with gauze in advance, trying not to overtighten it or injure it.
In general, caring for this plant is simple - you need to put it in the light, shade it a little to avoid burns on the leaves, sometimes turn the other side to the sun. Water abundantly in the summer, defending the water for more than a day. In winter, be careful - there should not be waterlogging. During the growing season, feed with special fertilizers for succulents. Heat-loving euphorbias are afraid of the cold - temperatures below fifteen degrees Celsius are detrimental to the roots. It can provoke the appearance of rot. Here comes the drynessEuphorbia will not bother the air at all - you can not even spray it. Since the leaves look more well-groomed when they shine, they can be wiped with a soft flannelette cloth, which should be lightly dampened with clean water beforehand. Transplantation must necessarily take into account drainage - a layer of expanded clay is well suited. Young plants need fresh soil annually, adults less often.
