Looking for a unique and low-maintenance plant to add some personality to your home or garden? Look no further than the Euphorbia milii, known as Crown of Thorns or Corona de Cristo, a flowering plant of the Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). It is a slow-growing plant that can grow up to 6 feet tall; however, when grown as a houseplant, it typically grows up to 3 feet.
This ornamental cactus-like succulent corona de Cristo is native to Madagascar and other tropical regions worldwide. It was introduced into cultivation by none other than Baron Milius (Middle East) himself, a Governor of Réunion (Bourbon Island); hence its name, Milii.
The Euphorbia Milii goes by several other common names such as Crown of Thorns plant, Christ plant, and Christ Thorn. In Latin America, it is known as Corona de Espinas and Corona de Cristo, which means crown of Christ. It is rumored that the crown of Jesus was made of this plant's woody stem. It comes in a wide range of colors, including red, peach, white, yellow, orange, and purple.
The Crown of Thorns plant is a perennial, herbaceous shrub with bright green leaves with a light pink or maroon tint that is primarily found on new stem growth.
The flowers of the Crown of Thorns are surrounded by long-lasting and bright red or yellow modified leaves. It blooms in a delicate gold-white color throughout the spring. The flowers of these plants add an ornamental look to any room.
To propagate corona de Cristo, simply do this with stem cuttings or tip cuttings. It is safe to touch but should not be consumed because it contains milky sap, which can cause skin irritation, blindness, and gastrointestinal problems. Keeping the plant out of reach of children and pets is crucial.
Watering Needs
One of the coolest features of this crown of thorns is the way it stores water in its stems. That means you don't need frequent watering - just make sure the topsoil is completely dry before giving it another drink. This helps avoid overwatering and keeps your plant healthy and happy!
Euphorbia milii's roots should ideally be slightly damp at all times to prevent the plant from starting to shed its leaves. Often, people worry they aren't giving their plants enough water when, in reality, they are over-watering them. This is especially the case with the crowns of thorns as they don't do well in moist soil which can result in root rot.
Plus, in those hot summer climates, watering once a week is perfect for this thorn of Christ plant. But come wintertime (dormancy period), you can cut back to every two weeks or less. And get this - any type of water (except hard water) will work just fine!
So, whether you use tap or filtered or even rainwater, your crown of thorns plant will be thriving in no time. Just remember to avoid hard water since this succulent species doesn't like lime very much.
Light Requirements
This corona de Cristo enjoys full sunlight and will reward you with an explosion of vibrant flowers in a sunny location. Learn to adjust your crown of thorns plant to avoid burns if the location where you have the succulent is exposed to a lot of sunlight. Gradually increase the exposure until it can handle the full sun.
Don't even think about hiding it away in a shady corner - this corona de Cristo plant deserves to be front and center in direct sun, soaking up those rays. Even if direct sunlight isn't possible, make sure it gets the brightest spot available, or risk having a sad-looking, raggedy plant on your hands. But fear not! With just 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day, this semi-succulent will still bloom beautifully.
It's critical to remember that during a heatwave or periods of extreme heat, your crown of Thorn succulent branches could still sustain sun damage or get sunburned. You can protect the plant in this situation by moving it indoors. So go ahead, find that perfect south or west-facing window for your Corona de Cristo, and let it bask in all its sunny glory!
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The corona de Cristo favors a very airy, sandy soil-based potting mix that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and most likely root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally use our specialized potting mix that contains over 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your succulent to thrive.
When it comes to fertilizing Euphorbia milii, apply it once in the spring with an equal amount of NPK (5-10-5). Benefiting beneficial microorganisms. If using a specialized fertilizer, follow the label instructions. When using a regular plant fertilizer, dilute it by 50% and choose a natural fertilizer with a higher Phosphorus-to-nitrogen ratio.
The crown of thorns succulents requires less water and fertilizer than other plants. Overfertilization, on the other hand, can result in fungal diseases.
Hardiness Zones & More
As desert dwellers, the Corona de Cristo loves heat and dryness but can't stand frost, so keep it indoors during those colder winter months. But if you live in a warm climate in a USDA zone 9-11, lucky you! This stunning semi-succulent can be grown outside as an ornamental shrub. Plus, it requires low maintenance care - perfect for gardening beginners or busy bee plant lovers!
They prefer constant temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and can tolerate triple digits in the summer, so don't worry if your crown of thorns plants get too hot. It is not a problem if the temperatures drop slightly at night because this Euphorbia milii can withstand temperatures as low as 50 °F. This succulent thrives in warm climates with low to medium humidity levels.
Whether you're new to gardening or just extremely busy but love plants - the low-maintenance Euphorbia milii - Crown of Thorns white (Corona de Cristo) is perfect for your home garden! If you are looking to purchase a crown of thorns plant, you can check out your local nursery or garden center or search online for "crown of thorns plant for sale" to discover a wide variety of choices.
| Bloom Season | Spring |
|---|---|
| Bloom Season | Spring, summer |
| Botanical Name | Euphorbia milii |
| Common Name | Christ plant, Crown of Thorns, Christ Thorn, Corona de Cristo |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Flower Color | Gold/yellow |
| Flower Color | White, gold |
| Genus | Euphorbia |
| Growth Habit | Armed shrub |
| Growth Habit | Armed shrub, fleshy stem |
| Growth Habit | Upright |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Hardiness Zone | 9, 10, 11 |
| Hardiness Zone | 9 11 (USDA) |
| Mature Size | 12 24 in. tall |
| Mature Size | Up to 3 ft. tall |
| Native Area | Madagascar |
| Plant Type | Perennial Succulent |
| Plant Type | Succulent plant |
| Propagation | By cuttings |
| Propagation | By cuttings, stems, offsets |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant, deer resistance, rabbit resistance |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant, deer resistance, rabbit resistance, pest resistance |
| Soil PH | 6.5 |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | Succulents potting mix soil |
| Special Features | Easy to grow |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun (bright light) |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Safe for humans |
| Toxicity | Safe for humans, mildly toxic (Keep away from children) |
| Watering Needs | Low |
- Description
- Key Plant Features
Looking for a unique and low-maintenance plant to add some personality to your home or garden? Look no further than the Euphorbia milii, known as Crown of Thorns or Corona de Cristo, a flowering plant of the Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). It is a slow-growing plant that can grow up to 6 feet tall; however, when grown as a houseplant, it typically grows up to 3 feet.
This ornamental cactus-like succulent corona de Cristo is native to Madagascar and other tropical regions worldwide. It was introduced into cultivation by none other than Baron Milius (Middle East) himself, a Governor of Réunion (Bourbon Island); hence its name, Milii.
The Euphorbia Milii goes by several other common names such as Crown of Thorns plant, Christ plant, and Christ Thorn. In Latin America, it is known as Corona de Espinas and Corona de Cristo, which means crown of Christ. It is rumored that the crown of Jesus was made of this plant's woody stem. It comes in a wide range of colors, including red, peach, white, yellow, orange, and purple.
The Crown of Thorns plant is a perennial, herbaceous shrub with bright green leaves with a light pink or maroon tint that is primarily found on new stem growth.
The flowers of the Crown of Thorns are surrounded by long-lasting and bright red or yellow modified leaves. It blooms in a delicate gold-white color throughout the spring. The flowers of these plants add an ornamental look to any room.
To propagate corona de Cristo, simply do this with stem cuttings or tip cuttings. It is safe to touch but should not be consumed because it contains milky sap, which can cause skin irritation, blindness, and gastrointestinal problems. Keeping the plant out of reach of children and pets is crucial.
Watering Needs
One of the coolest features of this crown of thorns is the way it stores water in its stems. That means you don't need frequent watering - just make sure the topsoil is completely dry before giving it another drink. This helps avoid overwatering and keeps your plant healthy and happy!
Euphorbia milii's roots should ideally be slightly damp at all times to prevent the plant from starting to shed its leaves. Often, people worry they aren't giving their plants enough water when, in reality, they are over-watering them. This is especially the case with the crowns of thorns as they don't do well in moist soil which can result in root rot.
Plus, in those hot summer climates, watering once a week is perfect for this thorn of Christ plant. But come wintertime (dormancy period), you can cut back to every two weeks or less. And get this - any type of water (except hard water) will work just fine!
So, whether you use tap or filtered or even rainwater, your crown of thorns plant will be thriving in no time. Just remember to avoid hard water since this succulent species doesn't like lime very much.
Light Requirements
This corona de Cristo enjoys full sunlight and will reward you with an explosion of vibrant flowers in a sunny location. Learn to adjust your crown of thorns plant to avoid burns if the location where you have the succulent is exposed to a lot of sunlight. Gradually increase the exposure until it can handle the full sun.
Don't even think about hiding it away in a shady corner - this corona de Cristo plant deserves to be front and center in direct sun, soaking up those rays. Even if direct sunlight isn't possible, make sure it gets the brightest spot available, or risk having a sad-looking, raggedy plant on your hands. But fear not! With just 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day, this semi-succulent will still bloom beautifully.
It's critical to remember that during a heatwave or periods of extreme heat, your crown of Thorn succulent branches could still sustain sun damage or get sunburned. You can protect the plant in this situation by moving it indoors. So go ahead, find that perfect south or west-facing window for your Corona de Cristo, and let it bask in all its sunny glory!
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The corona de Cristo favors a very airy, sandy soil-based potting mix that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and most likely root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally use our specialized potting mix that contains over 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your succulent to thrive.
When it comes to fertilizing Euphorbia milii, apply it once in the spring with an equal amount of NPK (5-10-5). Benefiting beneficial microorganisms. If using a specialized fertilizer, follow the label instructions. When using a regular plant fertilizer, dilute it by 50% and choose a natural fertilizer with a higher Phosphorus-to-nitrogen ratio.
The crown of thorns succulents requires less water and fertilizer than other plants. Overfertilization, on the other hand, can result in fungal diseases.
Hardiness Zones & More
As desert dwellers, the Corona de Cristo loves heat and dryness but can't stand frost, so keep it indoors during those colder winter months. But if you live in a warm climate in a USDA zone 9-11, lucky you! This stunning semi-succulent can be grown outside as an ornamental shrub. Plus, it requires low maintenance care - perfect for gardening beginners or busy bee plant lovers!
They prefer constant temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and can tolerate triple digits in the summer, so don't worry if your crown of thorns plants get too hot. It is not a problem if the temperatures drop slightly at night because this Euphorbia milii can withstand temperatures as low as 50 °F. This succulent thrives in warm climates with low to medium humidity levels.
Whether you're new to gardening or just extremely busy but love plants - the low-maintenance Euphorbia milii - Crown of Thorns white (Corona de Cristo) is perfect for your home garden! If you are looking to purchase a crown of thorns plant, you can check out your local nursery or garden center or search online for "crown of thorns plant for sale" to discover a wide variety of choices.
| Bloom Season | Spring |
|---|---|
| Bloom Season | Spring, summer |
| Botanical Name | Euphorbia milii |
| Common Name | Christ plant, Crown of Thorns, Christ Thorn, Corona de Cristo |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Flower Color | Gold/yellow |
| Flower Color | White, gold |
| Genus | Euphorbia |
| Growth Habit | Armed shrub |
| Growth Habit | Armed shrub, fleshy stem |
| Growth Habit | Upright |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Hardiness Zone | 9, 10, 11 |
| Hardiness Zone | 9 11 (USDA) |
| Mature Size | 12 24 in. tall |
| Mature Size | Up to 3 ft. tall |
| Native Area | Madagascar |
| Plant Type | Perennial Succulent |
| Plant Type | Succulent plant |
| Propagation | By cuttings |
| Propagation | By cuttings, stems, offsets |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant, deer resistance, rabbit resistance |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant, deer resistance, rabbit resistance, pest resistance |
| Soil PH | 6.5 |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | Succulents potting mix soil |
| Special Features | Easy to grow |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun (bright light) |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Safe for humans |
| Toxicity | Safe for humans, mildly toxic (Keep away from children) |
| Watering Needs | Low |