Devil's Backbone 'Nana Green'
Devil's Backbone 'Nana Green'
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Nana Green'
❦ ❧ ❦
Difficulty — BeginnerA curious, characterful little shrub whose stems zigzag from node to node as though they could not quite decide which way to grow — hence the common name, Devil's Backbone. The Nana Green is the compact, all-green form, dense and bushy where the species sprawls. Take care: like all euphorbias she bleeds a milky latex when cut, and it is an irritant to skin and eyes, so handle her with respect and washed hands.
Notes on Cultivation
☀Light
Bright light keeps her stems sturdy and her zigzag tight, and a few hours of gentle direct sun are welcome. Kept in shade she grows leggy and loose, reaching unhappily toward the window.
❦Water
Treat her as the semi-succulent she is: water well, then let the top few inches dry before the next drink. She forgives a forgotten watering far more readily than a heavy hand, for sodden roots are the quickest route to her ruin.
☁Humidity
Average room humidity suits her entirely. She is no fussy jungle creature and will not thank you for misting.
✵Temperature
She prefers warmth, 65 to 85 Fahrenheit, and dislikes the cold. Keep her well above 50 Fahrenheit, for she has little tolerance for a chill and may drop leaves in protest.
❧Soil
A free-draining mix — a cactus-and-succulent blend, or potting soil cut generously with perlite — keeps her roots sweet. Drainage, as ever with euphorbias, is non-negotiable.
❀Fertilizing
A balanced, diluted feed once a month through spring and summer is plenty. She is not a greedy plant, and modest feeding keeps her compact and content.
✿Propagation
She roots readily from stem cuttings, but first blot or rinse the cut end to stop the latex, then let it callus for a day or two before planting — this guards against rot. A callused cutting settles nicely into a clear cup of lightly-moist Fluval Stratum, our signature method, kept only just damp rather than wet. Read the full field method.
Field Observations
That milky sap is the whole genus's defence; keep her clear of curious pets and children, and never let the latex near your eyes. A small caution, easily kept.
In strong light and cooler months her stem tips may blush faintly and she can throw small, slipper-shaped bracts — a quiet bonus from an already obliging plant.
— faithfully recorded by Mr. Phileas Plant
