![]() The plant terminates in a dichotomous cyme, with a peduncle supporting each flower. The leaves are glabrous (smooth) and acuminate in shape, with entire (smooth) edges. Each leaf is sessile (attaching directly to the plant), and about 1.4 to 3 inches (3.6 to 7.6 cm) in length. The leaf is a simple angiosperm leaf, arranged oppositely on the stem. The shrub can grow to 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) in height and generally is about 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm) in width. The plant requires a sunny area to grow in. The plant tends to be taller and have more biomass if it is well-watered. It is relatively intolerant of high soil salinity levels, but exhibits saline tolerance if well fertilized. It prefers soil that is sandy, well-drained, and nutrient-rich, particularly with higher concentrations of boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. In other parts of the world, it is known as gin-ryu (Japan) pokok lipan and penawar lipan (Indonesia) airi, baire, and agia (India) aperejo (Yoruba) sapatinho do diabo (Brazil) itamo real (Puerto Rico) pantoufle (France) and zapatilla del diablo (Mexico).Įuphorbia tithymaloides is native to tropical and subtropical North America and Central America. Among them are redbird flower, devil's-backbone, buck-thorn, cimora misha, christmas candle, fiddle flower, ipecacuahana, Jacob's ladder, Japanese poinsettia, Jew's slipper, Jewbush, milk-hedge, myrtle-leaved spurge, Padus-leaved clipper plant, red slipper spurge, redbird cactus, slipper flower, slipper plant, slipper spurge, timora misha, and zig-zag plant. However, the genus Pedilanthus has been submerged into the genus Euphorbia, and is more correctly known by its new name (Euphorbia tithymaloides).Įuphorbia tithymaloides has a large number of household names used by gardeners and the public. An erect shrub, the plant is also known by the scientific name Pedilanthus tithymaloides. A single application can often provide plants with the proper level of nutrition all season long.Variegated Devil's Backbone / Red Bird / False Bird - Pedilanthus tithymaloides - 4” Potĭevil's Backbone, Jacob's Ladder, Slipper FlowerĮuphorbia tithymaloides is a perennial succulent spurge. Slow-release fertilizers are an especially good, care-free choice for container plants. Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants. Determine which application method is best for the situation and select a product with a nutritional balance designed for foliage plants. Fertilizing Instuctionsįertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. This is important since the roots are in a confined space. Keeping the foliage trimmed also keeps the plants looking neat and tidy, encourages the plant to develop more side-shoots and flowers, and reduces the demand for the plant to develop a larger root system. Most container plants can be pruned freely to maintain the desired size and shape. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. If the top 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, or plants are wilted, it is time to water.Īpply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the foliage. Check the soil moisture with your finger. Repot every 2 years in the same container or in a container slightly larger than the diameter of the roots. Place plant in a reliably sunny location. When all the plants are potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give plants a good start. Insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. Prepare the container by filling with potting soil up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none. Many are available with a mild starter fertilizer in the mix. These are usually lighter in weight than topsoil, sterile and pest-free. Start with a good quality, commercial potting soil.
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