Succulent Euphorbia Variegated Devil’s Backbone

Succulent Euphorbia Variegated Devil’s Backbone

$32.00$41.00

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4 inches
6 inches

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Succulent Euphorbia Variegated Devil's Backbone

Botanical Name: Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Variegata'
Common Name(s): Variegated Devil's Backbone, Red Devil's Backbone, Zig-Zag Plant

The Euphorbia Variegated Devil's Backbone, is a striking and ornamental succulent native to the tropical regions of the Americas. This unique succulent is prized for its variegated leaves and unusual zig-zag growth pattern. The plant’s stems grow in a distinctive zig-zag shape, giving it a spine-like appearance that resembles a backbone, often with creamy white or yellow stripes along the edges of its leaves, creating a beautiful contrast with the rich green centers.

The variegation of the leaves becomes more pronounced as the plant matures, making it an eye-catching addition to any collection. The stems of the Variegated Devil's Backbone are usually green with hints of red or purple, adding to the plant's dramatic aesthetic. The plant can grow as a low shrub or small tree, reaching a height of up to 3 feet (90 cm) in height, though its compact nature often makes it suitable for container gardening. 

This plant thrives in bright, indirect sunlight and prefers a well-draining, sandy soil mix. While it can tolerate some direct sun, it’s important to avoid harsh midday sunlight, as it can scorch the variegated leaves, especially in regions with intense heat. As a drought-tolerant succulent, it requires minimal watering. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, as overwatering can lead to root rot. During the growing season, the Variegated Devil's Backbone appreciates a little more water but should still be kept on the dry side, with reduced watering in the winter months when the plant enters a period of dormancy.

To grow this plant successfully, it's best to use a cactus or succulent soil mix that drains well, or amend regular potting soil with sand or perlite to ensure proper drainage. Planting in a pot with drainage holes is essential to prevent the roots from sitting in excess moisture, which can cause rot.

Note: Like other Euphorbia species, the Variegated Devil's Backbone produces a toxic, milky latex sap when cut or damaged. This sap can be highly irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. It’s also important to keep the plant out of reach of pets and small children to avoid any accidental contact with the sap.

Care Insights & Expert Tips

  1. Easy to Propagate: This succulent can be easily propagated by stem cuttings. Allow the cut end to callus for a few days before planting it in well-draining soil. 
  2. Succulent Soil Mix: For this succulent, a well-draining succulent soil mix is preferred as this soil mimics a dry desert environment. 
  3. Can bloom Flowers: During the spring and summer, this Euphorbia may bloom small inconspicuous flowers at the end of the stem.
  4. Repot every 2-3 years: Repot every 2-3 years or when the plant becomes too large for its container.
  5. Handle with Care: The sap of this succulent can be very irritating to eyes and skin. Use thick gloves when handling them.

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FAQs

Do you have a return or replacement policy for plants?

Due to the perishable nature of plants, we do not accept returns based on personal preference. Shipping live plants back and forth can cause unnecessary stress and jeopardize the health of the plant. We encourage customers to choose carefully before placing an order. Our risk-free, 30-day customer guarantee covers cases where plants arrive damaged, dead, sick, or incorrect items were sent. We will send you a replacement plant or provide a refund.

If there’s an issue with your order, please notify us within 30 days so we can address the issue as quickly as possible. To learn more, visit 30-Day Customer Guarantee. Refunds will be processed to the card or account used for your purchase and will typically be available in your bank in 3-5 business days from the date it was issued.

Can I order and receive plants during the winter?

Yes, we ship plants year-round! Our shipments are carefully packaged to ensure we deliver healthy plants to your door every day of the year. We monitor the weather across the country and will include heat packs at no extra charge to keep your plants warm during shipping. If weather conditions are extreme (e.g., storm or severe winter), we will inform you of an updated delivery date that we believe is more appropriate.

How can I change my order details?

To update your order details, please contact us within 24 hours of placing your order. We care about all our customers and will like to ship the correct item to the right location. We are not held responsible for orders shipped to incorrect addresses. In addition, we cannot cancel orders that has already been shipped.

If I order more than one plant, will they ship separately?

Items apart of the same order typically ship together. In rare circumstances, the items may ship from both our Southern California and Florida greenhouses and could arrive in separate packages at different times. For these instances, once each item is shipped, you'll receive individual tracking information for each package, so you can easily track their progress.

Where do you ship?

We currently ship to the contiguous United States which consists of the 48 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

Do you offer same-day or next-day delivery?

Unfortunately, we do not offer same-day or next-day delivery. Plants require careful preparation and packaging to ensure they arrive healthy and in optimal condition, we take the necessary time to pack them properly. This ensures that your plants are shipped safely and arrive ready to thrive.