PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial sun preferred; tolerates exposed, dry growing conditions
Watering
Water sparingly; drought-tolerant, avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Temperature
Thrives in warm temperate to Mediterranean climates; cannot survive frost exposure
Characteristics
- Leaf: Oblong to lanceolate leaves with serrated margins, arranged oppositely on slender stems
- Flower: Tiny greenish-yellow cyathia clustered at stem apices, lacking true petals
- Stem: Upright branching stems that exude milky white sap when broken
Care Guide
Watering
Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil is completely dry; avoid waterlogging
Fertilization
Diluted balanced liquid feed once every 2 weeks. Avoid overfertilizing to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering
Eggshell powder topdressing：Crush dried, rinsed eggshells into fine powder; sprinkle lightly on soil surface to boost calcium levels without overfertilizingPruning
- Deadhead spent cyathia to prevent unwanted self-seeding in garden beds
- Remove yellowing or damaged stems to maintain tidy growth
- Cut back the entire plant after flowering to clear garden space for subsequent plantings
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Toxic; ingestion causes oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea; sap irritates skin
Humans: Milky sap causes skin and eye irritation; ingestion leads to oral pain and gastrointestinal distress
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: N/A
