Content
- Subspecies of Euphorbia - hardy or not?
- Certain types of milkweed are better cultivated throughout the year in the house
- The hardy varieties are visually simpler
- Avoid pruning in autumn
- Tips
The Euphorbia helioscopia is hardy
Subspecies of Euphorbia - hardy or not?
The worldwide more than 2,000 different subspecies of the plant genus Euphorbia (German: Wolf milk plants) are not only visually very diverse, but also differed in their demands in the location and care. Since milkweed plants have their natural distribution areas across different climatic zones and regions of the earth, it is only possible to make very limited statements about frost sensitivity.
Certain types of milkweed are better cultivated throughout the year in the house
Various species of Euphorbia come from tropical and subtropical natural landscapes and desert areas, where the climate is significantly warmer all year round than in Central Europe. Accordingly, for example, the following types of milkweed can be sensitive to temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius:
Even the so-called magic snow is not hardy outdoors and must be wintered in the house protected. These Euphorbia species are therefore either cultivated all year in the room or conservatory, or set up in the summer as potted plants on the terrace and relocated in the fall in time to winter quarters.
The hardy varieties are visually simpler
In fact, there are also wolf milk plants that can withstand temperatures of up to minus 20 degrees Celsius in the outdoor area. These differ visually but clearly from the kaktusähnlichen relatives. In a gravelly perennial border these perennial spurge plants can be planted in a suitable location:
The stature height in these spurge species is usually much less than 1 m. In contrast to the succulent houseplants of the genus, the listed spurge species in the garden bed are rather wet and nutrient-rich.
Avoid pruning in autumn
A pruning of the hardy Euphorbia should take place only in the autumn, if it concerns a kind, which moves completely into the ground for the wintering. For the other garden euphorbias, on the other hand, the plant material should remain as complete as possible, since it provides a certain amount of frost protection for the root area. A necessary pruning can then take place more gently in the spring.
Tips
The hardy Euphorbien species are characterized by the characteristic milky sap. Therefore, a certain protection against the contents of the toxic milk juice should always be ensured during care measures.