Fynbos Corridor Collaboration

Tuber Milkball

Euphorbia tuberosa

Animal-friendly

Supports bees Supports bees

Tolerances & suitability

Drought-resistant Drought-resistant
Good potplant Good potplant

Growth features

Easy to grow Easy to grow

Aspect

Sun Sun
Semi-shade Semi-shade

Plant types

Succulent Succulent
Bulb Bulb

Flowering

  • green
  • yellow
Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

Euphorbia tuberosa is a spineless, deciduous, dwarf succulent geophyte (bulbous plant), up to 50 mm tall, with a tuberous underground stem that re-sprouts after fire. A cluster of wavy grey-green leaves are produced at ground level, forming a rosette and are up to 50 mm long and 10 mm wide.

Propagation by cutting

The best time to divide the tubers of melkbol is in summer (December, January and February) in the southern hemisphere, when it is warm, taking care to keep the plants dry. Dust the severed area with sulphur to prevent possible infection and allow to heal (callus) in a cool, dry area, for a week.

Place the cuttings in coarse river sand, in a well-drained container, in a sunny spot, which must be kept fairly dry, until the roots start to appear. Once this has happened, water the cuttings once a day during very hot weather. Rooting of cuttings should take place in 2 weeks to a month.

Sources and references

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