Euphorbiaceae
Caper Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris)
Euphorbia lathyris
Grow in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil, even poor and dry. Water sparingly; it is drought tolerant once established. Remove seed capsules before they ripen if you want to prevent self-seeding. Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling or cutting, as the latex irritates skin and eyes. Keep away from children and pets.
Every 14 days
Bright indirect
° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Caper spurge?
Caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) is a easy-care plant from the Euphorbiaceae family. Euphorbia lathyris is an erect biennial in the Euphorbiaceae, native to Asia and widely naturalised in temperate regions. It forms a rosette in its first year and a stem up to 1.5 m tall in its second, clothed in blue-green, lance-shaped leaves arranged in tidy opposite ranks with a pale midrib. Sma...
Caper spurge grows up to 1.5m, watering every 14 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Caper spurge tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs.
How to Care for Caper spurge?
TLDR: Caper spurge needs Bright indirect, watering every 14 days, and temperatures between 15-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Caper spurge?
Water only when the soil is dry; once established it copes well with drought.
How Much Light Does Caper spurge Need?
Prefers full sun but adapts to partial shade.
What Is the Best Soil for Caper spurge?
Tolerates sandy, loamy or clay soils provided they drain well.
What Pot Should You Use for Caper spurge?
Deep terracotta pot with drainage holes; wear gloves when handling.
What Is Caper spurge and Where Does It Come From?
Euphorbia lathyris is an erect biennial in the Euphorbiaceae, native to Asia and widely naturalised in temperate regions. It forms a rosette in its first year and a stem up to 1.5 m tall in its second, clothed in blue-green, lance-shaped leaves arranged in tidy opposite ranks with a pale midrib. Small green to yellow-green flowers without petals appear from spring into early summer, followed by rounded seed capsules that resemble capers. It is architectural and tolerates poor, dry soils, but every part, especially the milky latex, is toxic and irritant. It is reputed to repel moles, though this is unproven. It self-seeds freely and can become weedy.
How to Propagate Caper spurge?
Sowing seed
Wear gloves: even young plants carry irritant latex.
- 1 Sow seed in spring directly where the plants will grow.
- 2 Cover lightly with soil.
- 3 Keep near 20 C so seeds germinate in 2 to 3 weeks.
- 4 Thin seedlings to leave space between plants.
Materials needed:
How Big Does Caper spurge Grow?
TLDR: Caper spurge can reach up to 1.5m tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
1.5m
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Deciduous
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Caper spurge?
TLDR: Caper spurge is susceptible to 4 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease caused by various fungi species including Erysiphe, Podosphaera, Oïdium, and Leveillula. It affects over 10,000 plant species worldwide. The disease thrives in warm, dry climates with high humidity and appears as a distinctive white powdery coating on plant surfaces.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Rust
Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.
Fun Facts
The green seed capsules resemble capers, hence the name, but they must not be eaten.
Goats can eat it apparently unharmed, yet the toxins may pass into their milk.
It was used in folk medicine for warts and corns, now discouraged because of its toxicity.
Frequently asked questions
Is Euphorbia lathyris poisonous?
Does it really repel moles?
How do I stop it spreading?
How long does it live?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
| Cushion Bush | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
