Propagating Euphorbia

Euphorbia looks a lot like a cactus – but it isn’t. The biggest difference? The white sap it releases when cut, also known as latex or “milk”. It’s sticky stuff, so you’ll want to be a bit more careful while propagating.

Luckily, propagating Euphorbia is easy. All you need is some patience. Here’s how to do it step by step.

Rinse your knife with hot water and a bit of soap. Then disinfect it with alcohol to remove bacteria and fungi. This helps your cutting stay healthy.

Put on gloves to protect your skin from the plant’s milky sap. Lay an old towel down and cut a healthy stem near the base.

Is your Euphorbia knobby? You can cut one of the knobs off too.

Rinse the cut end under running water to wash off the sap.

Let the cutting dry for at least a week in a shady spot with stable temperature.

Drying is essential – it prevents rot and helps roots develop properly.

Once the wound is dry, plant the cutting in a mix of potting soil and sand. You can either place the cutting on top of the soil or stick it in gently.

Put the pot in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. Do not water yet – only start watering once you see new growth.

• When: spring or summer is ideal
• Safety: always wear gloves
• Soil: mix potting soil with sand for better drainage
• Light: lots of indirect sunlight
• Patience: wait for signs of growth before watering

Drying the wound prevents rot. It gives the plant time to callus, so roots can grow safely when you pot it up.

These tips are based on our own experience with propagating. All methods are tested in our plant nursery and work well for beginners too.

Want to explore more propagation tips? Check out our other step-by-step plant guides.