Euphorbia Coerulescens
Euphorbia coerulescens, commonly called Blue Euphorbia or Sweet Noor, is a striking succulent shrub native to South Africa’s Eastern Cape, typically found on rocky slopes. It grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and spreads over 3.3 feet (1 meter), forming a branched, leafless structure with blue-grey to yellowish-green, 4- to 6-angled stems. These stems, up to 2 inches (5 cm) thick, feature paired spines (white to brown, 0.5 inches long) and bear tiny, short-lived leaves in summer. Small, bright yellow cyathia bloom at stem tips in spring and summer, followed by pink, three-lobed fruit capsules.
Cold Hardiness: It tolerates temperatures down to 25°F (-4°C), fitting USDA Zones 9a-11b, and can handle light frost if kept dry, though it’s not suited for prolonged freezes without protection.
Water and Soil: Drought-tolerant, it needs sparing watering—moderate in spring/summer (every 2-3 weeks when soil dries out) and minimal in winter to avoid root rot. It requires well-draining, sandy or gritty soil (pH 5.0-7.0), like a cactus mix with perlite, and cannot tolerate heavy, water-retentive soils.
Regarded as part of the diverse Euphorbia genus, it’s admired for its arid adaptations and sculptural form in succulent gardens. Its rhizomatous spread and blue stems intrigue experts, though specific commentary is limited. Its toxic, milky sap is a noted hazard.
Euphorbia coerulescens, commonly called Blue Euphorbia or Sweet Noor, is a striking succulent shrub native to South Africa’s Eastern Cape, typically found on rocky slopes. It grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and spreads over 3.3 feet (1 meter), forming a branched, leafless structure with blue-grey to yellowish-green, 4- to 6-angled stems. These stems, up to 2 inches (5 cm) thick, feature paired spines (white to brown, 0.5 inches long) and bear tiny, short-lived leaves in summer. Small, bright yellow cyathia bloom at stem tips in spring and summer, followed by pink, three-lobed fruit capsules.
Cold Hardiness: It tolerates temperatures down to 25°F (-4°C), fitting USDA Zones 9a-11b, and can handle light frost if kept dry, though it’s not suited for prolonged freezes without protection.
Water and Soil: Drought-tolerant, it needs sparing watering—moderate in spring/summer (every 2-3 weeks when soil dries out) and minimal in winter to avoid root rot. It requires well-draining, sandy or gritty soil (pH 5.0-7.0), like a cactus mix with perlite, and cannot tolerate heavy, water-retentive soils.
Regarded as part of the diverse Euphorbia genus, it’s admired for its arid adaptations and sculptural form in succulent gardens. Its rhizomatous spread and blue stems intrigue experts, though specific commentary is limited. Its toxic, milky sap is a noted hazard.
Euphorbia coerulescens, commonly called Blue Euphorbia or Sweet Noor, is a striking succulent shrub native to South Africa’s Eastern Cape, typically found on rocky slopes. It grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and spreads over 3.3 feet (1 meter), forming a branched, leafless structure with blue-grey to yellowish-green, 4- to 6-angled stems. These stems, up to 2 inches (5 cm) thick, feature paired spines (white to brown, 0.5 inches long) and bear tiny, short-lived leaves in summer. Small, bright yellow cyathia bloom at stem tips in spring and summer, followed by pink, three-lobed fruit capsules.
Cold Hardiness: It tolerates temperatures down to 25°F (-4°C), fitting USDA Zones 9a-11b, and can handle light frost if kept dry, though it’s not suited for prolonged freezes without protection.
Water and Soil: Drought-tolerant, it needs sparing watering—moderate in spring/summer (every 2-3 weeks when soil dries out) and minimal in winter to avoid root rot. It requires well-draining, sandy or gritty soil (pH 5.0-7.0), like a cactus mix with perlite, and cannot tolerate heavy, water-retentive soils.
Regarded as part of the diverse Euphorbia genus, it’s admired for its arid adaptations and sculptural form in succulent gardens. Its rhizomatous spread and blue stems intrigue experts, though specific commentary is limited. Its toxic, milky sap is a noted hazard.
