Euphorbia anoplia

Tanzanian Zipper Plant; Zipper Plant

Euphorbiaceae

South Africa

1 gallon

1'

1-2'

25 to 30°F; -3.9 to -1.1°C

Very high heat tolerance

Full sun to light shade

Very drought tolerant but some water is required during the summer growing season. The plant likes to remain dry during cooler winter months.

None

Nice in rock gardens and in cactus and succulent gardens and borders. Requires excellent drainage. Works great in containers where soil drainage and outdoor cultural conditions do not meet the plant's requirements. Makes an interesting house plant if grown in enough light and could be combined with succulents of similar cultural requirements in larger containers.

Can be propagated from stem cuttings or seed.

Needs well-draining soils especially if grown in the ground during cold winter rains but is otherwise easy to grow.

Euphorbia anoplia is a small clumping stemless succulent that resembles a spineless cactus. It forms a colony of leafless ribbed columns. The columns are usually somewhat variegated from whitish green to green. The plant has small dark burgundy flowers at the column tips. Although it is fairly hardy, for best appearance E. anoplia should be protected from frost as it can scar or discolor the stems. This plant contains white sap which is irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes. If you get the sap on your hands, be careful not to touch your face or eyes before thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water.