Devil’s Backbone is the Pedilanthus tithymaloides common name. With its origin in Mexico and Central America, this lance-shaped tropical plant can grow between 18 to 24 inches tall. Belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, this plant goes dormant in fall and winter.
Growth Rate
This low-maintenance plant is also slow growing and takes about 5 to 8 years to reach its ultimate height.
Flowering
In summer, you will see small slipper-shaped Devils backbone flowers that are odourless and do not last long either. They will be in an orangish red color.
Watering and Feeding
Pedilanthus Tithymaloides does best in moist soil with regular watering throughout the summer and hardly at all during the winter. From spring to the middle of summer, add a liquid fertilizer when watering every three to four weeks.
Soil
Use a commercial cactus mix or prepare your own potting soil mixture. You may also want to add a little bit of peat moss to help absorb excess water.
Hardiness
The recommended growing zone is USDA hardiness zone 9 to 11. With a frost tolerance of -15°C, It’s a tropical plant needing a combination of sunlight and moisture.
Light
As Pedilanthus Tithymaloides is at risk of getting scorched leaves, avoid direct sunlight. Planting it near a window or somewhere with indirect sunlight or partial shade is ideal.
Propagation
You can use root cuttings for Pedilanthus tithymaloides propagation. The entire process, taking a cutting to a transplant will take about two months.
As a caution, locate the plant where it won't be in contact with children and pets. Wear garden gloves when pruning or transplanting to avoid possible skin irritation.
Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz
| Bloom Season | Summer |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Pedilanthus tithymaloides |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Flower Color | White |
| Flower Color | White, pink, red |
| Growth Habit | Footshaped |
| Mature Size | 6' |
| Native Area | Caribbean to venezuela |
| Resistance | 3.8 °c |
- Description
- Features
Devil’s Backbone is the Pedilanthus tithymaloides common name. With its origin in Mexico and Central America, this lance-shaped tropical plant can grow between 18 to 24 inches tall. Belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, this plant goes dormant in fall and winter.
Growth Rate
This low-maintenance plant is also slow growing and takes about 5 to 8 years to reach its ultimate height.
Flowering
In summer, you will see small slipper-shaped Devils backbone flowers that are odourless and do not last long either. They will be in an orangish red color.
Watering and Feeding
Pedilanthus Tithymaloides does best in moist soil with regular watering throughout the summer and hardly at all during the winter. From spring to the middle of summer, add a liquid fertilizer when watering every three to four weeks.
Soil
Use a commercial cactus mix or prepare your own potting soil mixture. You may also want to add a little bit of peat moss to help absorb excess water.
Hardiness
The recommended growing zone is USDA hardiness zone 9 to 11. With a frost tolerance of -15°C, It’s a tropical plant needing a combination of sunlight and moisture.
Light
As Pedilanthus Tithymaloides is at risk of getting scorched leaves, avoid direct sunlight. Planting it near a window or somewhere with indirect sunlight or partial shade is ideal.
Propagation
You can use root cuttings for Pedilanthus tithymaloides propagation. The entire process, taking a cutting to a transplant will take about two months.
As a caution, locate the plant where it won't be in contact with children and pets. Wear garden gloves when pruning or transplanting to avoid possible skin irritation.
Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz
| Bloom Season | Summer |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Pedilanthus tithymaloides |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Flower Color | White |
| Flower Color | White, pink, red |
| Growth Habit | Footshaped |
| Mature Size | 6' |
| Native Area | Caribbean to venezuela |
| Resistance | 3.8 °c |