Introducing the Crown of thorns plant or Corona de cristo, known as Euphorbia milii, a flowering plant that is a vibrant member of the Euphorbia genus.

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 the Corona de Espinas or the Corona de Cristo, which means the crown of Christ. It is rumored that the crown of Jesus was made of this plant's woody stem.

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 crown of thorns 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.

The crown of thorns comes in a wide range of colors, including red, peach, white, yellow, orange, and purple.

Too much light at night can occasionally cause poor flowering because these plants require darkness to initiate flowering.

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. The flowers of these Euphorbia milii add an ornamental look to any room. Crown of thorns plants can bloom every month of the year with no fragrance, depending on their care.

To propagate corona de Cristo, simply do this with stem cuttings or tip cuttings. Keep the cuttings in a warm, humid environment with indirect sunlight to promote growth.

Additionally, the crown of thorns plants are mildly toxic for both humans and pets.

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 crown of thorns plant healthy and happy!   

Euphorbia milii's roots should ideally be slightly damp at all times to prevent your 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 plants, as they don't do well in moist soil, which can result in root rot.  

In the spring and summer, during the growing season, your crown of thorns prefers watering once a week. In the winter, during the dormant 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, filtered, or even rainwater, your crown of thorns plant Euphorbia milii will be thriving in no time. Just remember to avoid hard water since this succulent species doesn't like lime very much.

Light Requirements   

When it comes to growing your Crown of Thorns Euphorbia milii indoors, it prefers bright, indirect light. It thrives in a spot near a window where it can receive several hours of sunlight a day. 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 sunlight, 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. 

If you want to grow your Crown of Thorns plant outdoors, it 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. With just 3–4 hours of direct sunlight per day, this semi-succulent will still bloom beautifully. In hot summer climates, it prefers afternoon shade.

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 Euphorbia milii crown of thorns plant, 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 five natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your succulent 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 succulent requires less water and fertilizer than other plants. Overfertilization, on the other hand, can result in fungal diseases.  

Hardiness Zones & More   

The Crown of Thorns plant is typically grown indoors as a houseplant. It can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but it prefers temperatures between 65°F and 85°F. So, keep your indoor space comfortably warm for your Crown of Thorns. This Euphorbia milii crown of thorns is relatively adaptable and can handle average indoor humidity levels. However, it appreciates a slightly higher humidity level, so misting the leaves occasionally or placing a tray of water nearby can help create a more humid environment.

If you live in a warm climate in USDA Zone 9–11, lucky you! This stunning semi-succulent can be grown outdoors as an ornamental shrub. The crown of thorns 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 tough plant Euphorbia milii can withstand temperatures as low as 50 °F. This succulent thrives in warm climates with low to medium humidity levels.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Euphorbia milii Crown of Thorns is a fascinating plant with spiky stems and beautiful flowers. The Crown of Thorns is native to Madagascar and has been cultivated for centuries. It's known for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in warm climates. The plant gets its name from the legend that a crown of thorns was placed on Jesus' head during the crucifixion. Whether you're new to gardening or just extremely busy but love plants, the low-maintenance Euphorbia milii - Crown of Thorns plant for sale (Corona de Cristo), is perfect for your home garden!