Griffith's spurge
Euphorbia griffithii · Euphorbiaceae
📷 Julie Anne Workman · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Euphorbe : sève irritante. Contact cutané/muqueux = dermatite, brûlures. Ingestion = troubles digestifs intenses.
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant griffith's spurge: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- April to June, red-orange bracts
- Adult size
- 80 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Himalayas
- Soil type
- Well-drained, tolerates poor soils
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Plant Himalayan spurge in well-drained soil and cut back faded stems to ground level in early June after flowering. It regrows quickly and more densely.
The common mistake
Failing to cut back after flowering or cutting at the wrong time: the plant then becomes a mess of old woody, non-flowering stems.
The pro's trick
Sow fresh seeds in June directly at the base: the plant self-seeds generously, creating colorful natural colonies.
Care
Exposure
Himalayan spurge prefers full sun for abundant flowering and intense colors. It tolerates partial shade but will flower less freely. Plant it in a spot sheltered from cold winds.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing period (spring-summer) to keep the soil slightly moist. Reduce watering in autumn and winter. Once established, it tolerates short dry spells.
Soil
Well-drained soil is essential to prevent root rot. Spurge appreciates poor to average soil; a compost application in autumn is sufficient. Improve heavy soils with sand or gravel.
Pruning and cleanup
Cut back the plant to 15-20 cm from the ground in late winter or early spring to encourage dense, floriferous growth. Remove dead or damaged stems. Wear gloves: the sap is irritating.
Fertilizing
A moderate application of balanced fertilizer in spring is enough. Avoid excess nitrogen which would promote foliage at the expense of flowering. An autumn mulch often replaces fertilizer in regularly enriched soils.
Pests and diseases
Himalayan spurge is generally robust. Watch for root rot if moisture stagnates. Aphids may occasionally affect it; treat with a soapy water spray if necessary.
Did you know?
Himalayan spurge earned the nickname 'fire-glow' from English gardeners who adore its flaming red-orange bracts. Paradoxically, this warm-looking plant thrives in the moist, cool borders of mountain gardens, where it creates striking contrasts with blue-grey hostas.
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
- Desert candleEuphorbia abyssinica
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.