Euphorbias are very graphic and decorative plants in the garden. They come in more than 2,000 species and in different categories: perennials, annuals and biennials. With great variety, they offer a whole palette of shapes and colours, from green to purple, including yellow and variegated forms. Vigorous, they are easy to care for and require little. To multiply them, gardeners have several methods: sowing, propagation by cuttings and division of stumps. Here is how to propagate euphorbias.

Propagate euphorbias sowing cuttings division

Euphorbia myrsinites and 'Black Bird'

Sowing euphorbias

  • Euphorbias self-seed, but once established they do not like to be moved.
  • After flowering, which generally occurs from spring to summer, you can harvest their seeds to sow where you wish, in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Seed capsules must be dry.
  • Annuals can be sown directly outside, while for perennials sowing is best done in seed trays or buckets under a cold frame.
  • When handling euphorbias, always wear waterproof gloves, as they contain a white toxic, irritating latex. Never touch your eyes while handling them.
Propagate euphorbias sowing cuttings division

Euphorbia seeds before harvest

When to sow euphorbias?

Sowing is generally done in spring, but given the variety of euphorbia species, check recommended sowing period on your seed packet.

Materials needed to sow euphorbias

Steps to sow euphorbias

  • Harvest seeds and store them in an airtight jar in a dry, dark place.
  • Fill a bucket or seed tray with compost and attach a label
  • Moisten the compost
  • Scatter a few seeds on the surface and cover with a fine layer (about twice the seed size) of sieved compost
  • Press down lightly the compost
  • Water with a fine spray using a watering-can rose or a spray bottle
  • Place buckets or seed tray under a cold frame at a temperature of between 18 and 22 °C, in a bright spot but out of direct sun
  • Keep the growing medium slightly moist at all times.
  • To prevent the compost drying out, cover the bucket or seed tray with plastic film if necessary.
  • When the seedling has emerged and developed sufficient roots, you can replant it.

Propagating euphorbias by cuttings

Propagation by cuttings produces plants identical to the parent plant, which is not the case with sowing.
When carrying out this operation, always wear waterproof gloves to avoid contact with the plant's toxic latex and do not touch your eyes.

When to take cuttings from euphorbias

  • Euphorbias can be taken as cuttings in spring (April–May) or at the end of summer
  • Cut stems should be healthy and free of flower buds, flowers or fruit
  • Take cuttings using tools pre-disinfected with alcohol20

Materials needed to take cuttings from euphorbias

  • waterproof gloves to avoid contact with the latex
  • A bucket with drainage holes, plastic or turf
  • A spray bottle
  • A pencil or stick
  • A pruning shear
  • A free-draining growing medium made half of potting compost and half of sand

Steps to take cuttings from euphorbias

  • Fill a bucket with the free-draining growing medium;
  • Put on your gloves;
  • Choose a young shoot 7–10 cm long at the base of the plant and cut it, preferably just below an eye;
  • Place the stem in a container of water to stop the latex flowing;
  • Remove leaves from the lower part of the stem, leaving foliage only at the top;
  • Make a hole in the compost with a pencil and insert the cutting into the growing medium, firming lightly;
  • Place the pot in a bright spot out of direct sun;
  • Water and keep the growing medium slightly moist while the cutting takes.

Note that Euphorbia myrsinites is very easy to propagate by cuttings. Simply bury stems in a light, sandy soil kept moist.

Dividing euphorbias

Division of stumps is practised on perennial plants that have been in place for several years and are vigorous. It is a quick propagation technique. Again, remember to wear gloves to protect yourself from euphorbia latex. Tools should be disinfected before use.

When to divide euphorbias

Division of stumps can be carried out during the plant's dormancy, in autumn or late winter (March) for Euphorbia characias or griffithii.

Propagate euphorbias sowing cuttings division

Euphorbia characias

Materials needed to divide euphorbias

Steps to divide euphorbias

  • Lift the stump with a spade so roots are exposed without damaging them
  • Cut a piece of the stump with the pruning shear
  • Replant the stump fragment in a new spot immediately
  • Water

Further reading

Discover our complete fact sheet on euphorbias, as well as our complete collection of euphorbias!
To learn all about multiplying plants, here is an article summarising the main principles.
And to avoid any mistakes, we recommend choosing a suitable plant and downloading our web app Plantfit!