Euphorbia often confused with cacti. They are really similar to the latter - thanks to a faceted fleshy stem and extreme drought tolerance. But an euphorbia houseplant (a photo will help to identify some differences from cacti) is a representative of another family.
Euphorbia have about two thousand species, live in various climatic zones. Among them are representatives of both dioecious and
monoecious plants. Euphorbia for the most part comes from South Africa and Madagascar. By number they are in third place among succulents.
Milkweeds - characteristic signs, popular species
These plants secrete plentiful juice at the slightest damage. This milky fluid 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, rubber, amino acids, essential oils, resins, stearin and various sugars are included in the composition of milky juice. When transplanting this plant, use extreme caution.
Be alert if there are children in your home - do not let them take milk leaves in their mouths.
The most popular species is the white-veined euphorbia. 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 on the top of the plant. This flower is very similar to a kind of palm tree.
Euphorbia indoor: reproduction and conditions
This plant blooms with unremarkable small threads. The inflorescences are sticky from the nectar that covers them. A feature that milkweed have - 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 by wetting the juice. In order to remove seeds for the purpose of reproduction, the shoot can be tied up with gauze in advance, trying not to overtighten and not injure it.
In general, caring for this plant is simple - you need to put it on the light, pritenit a little to avoid burns on the leaves, sometimes turn to the sun on the other side. Water abundantly in the summer, standing for more than a day. Be careful in winter - there should be no waterlogging. During the growing season, feed with special fertilizers for succulents. Heat-loving milkweeds are afraid of the cold - temperatures below fifteen degrees Celsius are detrimental to the roots. It can provoke the appearance of rot. But the dryness of the air does not bother euphorbia 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 before that should be slightly moistened with clean water. A transplant must take into account drainage - a layer of expanded clay is well suited. Young plants need fresh soil every year, adults less often.