Cypress Spurge
Euphorbia cyparissias · Euphorbiaceae
📷 Richard Bartz, Munich Makro Freak · CC BY-SA 2.5
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant cypress spurge: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, fine and needle-like resembling cypress needles
- Flowering
- Spring (April to June), yellow-green bracts in umbels
- Adult size
- 30 to 60 cm in height, bushy and spreading habit
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Central and southern Europe, temperate regions
- Soil type
- Well-drained, dry to moderately dry, tolerates poor soils
Care
Watering
Water moderately during spring and summer growth, then reduce significantly in autumn. This euphorbia tolerates drought well once established and dislikes excess moisture. In Mediterranean or dry continental regions, natural rainfall is often sufficient.
Exposure
Install cypress spurge in full sun for optimal growth and beautiful bract coloring. It tolerates partial shade but will be less vigorous there. Choose a well-ventilated location to limit fungal problems.
Soil and drainage
Well-drained soil is essential: this plant dreads stagnant moisture and compact clay. Incorporate sand or gravel if your soil is heavy. Euphorbia adapts to poor and chalky soils, making it an excellent plant for rock gardens or dry gardens.
Pruning and cleanup
Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain a compact, bushy shape. Remove dead or damaged wood. You can also cut back partially after flowering to encourage branching, but this is not essential.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is generally not necessary on properly prepared soils. If growth seems stunted, apply a very diluted balanced fertilizer in spring. Avoid excess nitrogen which promotes overly tender foliage.
Pests and diseases
This euphorbia is generally robust. Watch out for root rot in wet or poorly drained soil. Rare infestations of spider mites or scale insects may occur under shelter. Practice good hygiene and ensure good ventilation to prevent fungal problems.
Did you know?
Cypress spurge owes its common name to its very fine, needle-like foliage that curiously resembles that of cypress, although botanically it has no relation to this tree. In the Middle Ages, this plant appeared in apothecaries' herbals for its supposed properties, but was never ingested due to its toxicity. It is a 'pioneer' plant that naturally colonizes rocky areas and sun-exposed slopes of the Mediterranean basin.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Wood spurgeEuphorbia amygdaloides
- Caper spurgeEuphorbia lathyris
- Albanian spurgeEuphorbia characias
- Spiny spurgeEuphorbia spinosa
- Garden crotonCodiaeum variegatum
- Griffith's spurgeEuphorbia griffithii
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.