Mediterranean spurge Euphorbia characias
Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia characias) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Euphorbiaceae family, native to Mediterranean basin (garrigue and rocky hills). It grows 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) tall and 90 cm–1.2 m (35 in–3.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Mediterranean spurge in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Mediterranean spurge at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Mature height | 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 90 cm–1.2 m (35 in–3.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mediterranean basin (garrigue and rocky hills) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇷 Greece |
Is Mediterranean spurge toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: milky sap, all parts
Milky sap burns skin and can cause serious eye injury; wear gloves and eye protection when cutting.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Mediterranean spurge
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Mediterranean spurge in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (5 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (6 plants)
Questions about Mediterranean spurge
- How far apart should I plant Mediterranean spurge?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 90 cm–1.2 m (35 in–3.9 ft).
- Does Mediterranean spurge need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mediterranean spurge need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mediterranean spurge?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Mediterranean spurge flower?
- From about March for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Mediterranean spurge poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Milky sap burns skin and can cause serious eye injury; wear gloves and eye protection when cutting.
- What grows well with Mediterranean spurge?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mediterranean spurge. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Blue-grey stems flower in their second year (domed heads of lime-green bracts with dark nectaries), then are cut out at the base.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Cassava Manihot esculenta
- Croton Codiaeum variegatum
- Crown of thorns Euphorbia milii
- Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima
- Pará rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis
- Candlenut (kukui) Aleurites moluccanus
- Candelabra tree (naboom) Euphorbia ingens
- Griffith’s spurge Euphorbia griffithii