Euphorbia tirucalli is normally very green. The variation depicted here, or rather this cultivar of the rubber-hedge Euphorbia or kraalnaboom (Afrikaans) is sought after by gardeners for its striking coral coloured leaf tips. There exists an even more red-stemmed cultivar of this plant in international horticulture.

This plant grows easily, often reaches a height of 5 m (although in favourable conditions it might double that).  It should be treated with care to avoid the milky latex from getting into contact with the eyes or ingesting any of it as this could cause severe discomfort or damage!  For this reason some people will not plant it, whilst others use it for fencing around gardens or to house livestock at night.  If you will not plant any poisonous plants, your gardening options are significantly diminished.  Rather look after the children when they are small and teach them early about garden behaviour, just as with the swimming pool!

(Also see the Plant Record on this site.)