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Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata'

5 Stars(185 Business Reviews)

Regular price£19.00

ø 11cm pot | 25cm folaiage

Bright / direct lightEasy growerNot pet friendly

Add these products:

  • Potting Mix
    Potting Mix
  • Complete Organic Plant Food – 50ml
    Complete Organic Plant Food – 50ml
  • Winter Packing Protection - Heatpack
    Winter Packing Protection - Heatpack

Grows well together...

Useful Information

Plant Bio

Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata', commonly known as coral cactus or crested euphorbia, is a distinctive succulent valued for its wavy, fan-shaped stems that resemble sea coral or a brain-like formation. This cultivar of Euphorbia lactea exhibits undulating, often mottled green stems, sometimes with white marbling or reddish edges. It creates a unique and sculptural focal point in any collection. Despite its common name, it is a succulent, not a true cactus. It is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family.

The genus name Euphorbia is thought to honor Euphorbus, a physician to the King of Mauretania. Lactea refers to the milky sap produced by the plant. 'Cristata' indicates the crest-like, mutated growth form specific to this cultivar.

Light: Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' thrives in bright conditions, including some direct sunlight. It generally performs best with at least four hours of sun exposure daily. When grown indoors in the UK, a window facing east or west is often suitable, providing morning or afternoon sun while offering some protection from the most intense midday sun.

Water: Water sparingly. This succulent requires its potting mix to become entirely dry between waterings. During the active growing season (spring and summer), water thoroughly, ensuring all excess moisture drains away. In autumn and winter, when the plant is dormant, significantly reduce watering, allowing the mix to remain dry for longer periods. Overwatering is a frequent cause of rot.

Soil: A potting mix that drains exceptionally well is crucial. A specialised cactus or succulent mix is ideal. This type of mix will help prevent waterlogging, which is vital for the plant's health.

Fertilising: This plant is not a heavy feeder. During the growing season (spring and summer), a diluted liquid fertiliser made for cacti and succulents can be applied monthly. Reduce or stop fertilizing during the dormant period.

Temperature: Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' prefers warm, dry conditions and is not tolerant of frost. It thrives in typical room temperatures, ideally between 10-23°C (50-75°F). It must be protected from temperatures below 10°C (50°F), as this can cause lasting harm. If grown outdoors in the UK, it should be brought inside before temperatures drop.

Humidity: Standard household humidity levels are sufficient. This plant prefers dry air and does not need high humidity.

Growth Habit: It is a slow-growing succulent, forming a distinct, crested, and often fan-shaped structure. It typically stays a manageable size when grown in containers.

Toxicity: All parts of Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata' contain a milky white sap (latex) that is poisonous. This sap can cause skin irritation, itching, and blistering upon contact, and severe irritation if it enters the eyes or mucous membranes. If consumed, it can cause stomach discomfort, sickness, vomiting, and diarrhoea in humans and pets. Always use gloves and exercise extreme care when handling or pruning this plant, and place it in a secure location away from children and pets.

Delivery & Returns

​General

Please be aware that your plant may vary from the picture as this is a living item. Variations of shape and colour are perfectly natural and to be expected.  We will send you a plant as close to the picture and description as possible. The picture shown is an example of what's in stock unless stated otherwise.

​Shipping & Delivery

We now ship fresh plants directly from our trusted growers in the Netherlands, typically arriving within 3-5 business days. Read more about our realtionship with the Netherlands here. Shipping costs vary depending on your location and chosen option, with details available at checkout. We carefully package your plants to ensure safe arrival, and our customer support team is here to help with any issues. You'll receive a tracking number to monitor your delivery, and we currently ship to all UK addresses. Please review our return policy for plants, and note that some species may have shipping restrictions. 

Returns

We guarantee our plants 14 day from receipt.  We guarantee to send happy and healthy plants, however, it is your responsibility to care for them and we cannot be held responsible for neglect or mis care. Please send us a picture within 24 hours of receiving your plant and we'll help you out with your issue.

If returning your order, please keep all original packaging and use this to send the plant back to us. This will ensure the plant is kept as safe as possible on its return.

To allow the plant to acclimatise in its new home, there should be no repotting of the plant for a minimum of 14 days after receipt. If any plant has been repotted or a cutting has been taken then we are not able to accept returns.

We are happy to replace your plant if it is very badly damaged in transport. The loss of a leaf in transport on a healthy plant should not generally be cause for any concern. We cannot give a refund for snapped leaves.

FAQ'S

1. Where do you ship from?

We now ship directly from our trusted growers in The Netherlands.

2. How long does shipping take?

Shipping times may vary depending on your location within the UK. Typically, you can expect your plants to arrive within 3-5 business days of placing your order.

3. How much does shipping cost?

We offer [standard/various] shipping options with rates starting at £6.99. You can view the full details of our shipping costs at checkout.

4. Do you offer free shipping?

We may offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount or during special promotions. Please check our website or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

5. How are my plants packaged for shipping?

We take great care in packaging your plants to ensure they arrive in excellent condition. We use sturdy boxes, protective wrapping, and specialised plant packaging materials to minimise damage during transit.

6. What if my plant arrives damaged?

In the rare event that your plant arrives damaged, please contact our customer support team within 3 days of receiving your order. We will gladly assist you with a replacement or refund.

7. Can I track my order?

Yes, once your order is shipped, you will receive a tracking number via email that you can use to monitor the progress of your delivery.

8. Do you ship outside the UK?

We currently ship to all addresses within the UK. For international shipping inquiries, please contact our customer support team.

9. What is your return policy for plants?

Due to the perishable nature of plants, we have a limited return policy. Please refer to our return policy page for detailed information on returns and exchanges.

10. Are there any restrictions on shipping plants?

Some plant species may be subject to shipping restrictions due to local regulations or import/export laws. We comply with all applicable regulations and will notify you if any restrictions apply to your order.

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Caring for your new leafy green friends

Dry Out

Dry Out

Keep me away from any direct heat sources. The heat will dry me out!

Watering

Watering

Take me out of any ceramic pots when watering to stop my roots rotting.

Light

Light

I need light to survive. Please give me light!

Cold Spots

Cold Spots

I don’t like draughts! Keep me away from any cold spots in the house.

Check out more care tips in our Houseplant Library

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