Propagating Euphorbias: cuttings, sowing and division

Spurges are highly ornamental and decorative plants for the garden. They come in over 2000 species and different categories: perennial plants, annuals and biennials. With great variety, they offer a whole palette of shapes and colours, from green to purple, including yellow and variegated. Vigorous and low-maintenance, they thrive with minimal care. Gardeners can propagate them through several methods: sowing, propagation by cuttings and division. Let's discover how to propagate spurges.

Propagating spurges sowing cuttings division

Euphorbia myrsinites and 'Black Bird'

Sowing spurges

Spurges self-seed readily, but once established, they dislike being moved.
After flowering, which generally occurs from spring to summer, you can harvest their seeds to sow in your preferred location, in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. The seed capsules must be dry.
Annuals can be sown directly in the ground, while for perennial plants, sowing in trays or buckets under a cold frame is preferable.
When handling spurges, always wear waterproof gloves, as they contain toxic and irritating white latex. Never touch your eyes during handling.

Spurge seeds before harvest

When to sow spurges?

Sowing is generally done in spring, but given the variety of spurge species, we recommend checking your seed packet for the recommended sowing period for the specific plant.

Equipment needed for sowing spurges

Waterproof gloves to avoid contact with latex
Buckets: conventional, biodegradable or a seed tray
Light, fertiliser-free compost
Spurge seeds
Labels
A cold frame

Steps for sowing spurges

Harvest the seeds and store them in an airtight container in a dry, dark place.
Fill a bucket or tray with compost and attach a label
Moisten the compost
Scatter a few seeds on the surface and cover with a thin layer (about twice the size of the seed) of sieved compost
Lightly firm the compost
Water gently with a watering can rose or spray bottle
Place your buckets or tray under a cold frame at a temperature between 18 and 22°C, in a bright location but out of direct sunlight
Ensure the substrate remains slightly moist.
To prevent the compost from drying out, you can cover the bucket or tray with plastic film if needed.
Once the seedling has emerged and developed sufficient roots, it can be transplanted.

Propagating spurges by cuttings

Taking cuttings from spurges produces plants identical to the parent plant, unlike sowing.
For this operation, always wear waterproof gloves to avoid contact with the plant's toxic latex and do not touch your eyes.

When to take spurge cuttings

Spurges can be propagated by cuttings in spring (April-May) or late summer
The stems taken should be healthy and free from flower buds, flowers or fruits
Use tools disinfected with alcohol for taking cuttings

Equipment needed for taking spurge cuttings

Waterproof gloves to avoid contact with latex
A perforated bucket, plastic or turf
A spray bottle
A pencil or stick
A pruner
A well-draining substrate made of half compost and half sand

Steps for taking spurge cuttings

Take a bucket and fill it with the well-draining substrate;
Put on your gloves;
Identify a young shoot 7 to 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 flow;
Remove leaves from the lower part of the stem, leaving leaves only on the upper part;
Make a hole in the compost with a pencil and insert the cutting into the substrate, firming gently;
Place the pot in a bright location but out of direct sunlight;
Water and keep the substrate slightly moist while the plant establishes.

Note that Euphorbia myrsinites roots very easily from cuttings. Simply bury stems in light, sandy soil kept moist.

Dividing spurges

Division is practised on perennial plants, already established for several years and vigorous. It's a quick propagation method. Again, don't forget to wear gloves to protect yourself from spurge latex. Tools should be disinfected before the operation.