Ribbed green stem and paired spines of Euphorbia abyssinica

Large Euphorbia abyssinica with ribbed green stems and paired spines

Extra-large Euphorbia abyssinica with ribbed green stems and paired spines

Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia abyssinica

Q: Is Ferocactus stainesii still an accepted name?

No. Current Kew treatment lists it as a synonym of Ferocactus pilosus , even though the older name is still widely used in horticulture.

Abyssinian Spurge

5 for 4

Euphorbia abyssinica has tall strongly ribbed green columns with pale marbling, paired dark spines and brief leaves on fresh growth. Upright branches form a broad candelabra crown.

Read full guide to Euphorbia abyssinica

€20,50

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Choose a size

L Pot Ø 17 cm · approx. 70 cm tall XL Pot Ø 24 cm · approx. 85 cm tall

Variant

Sizes are approximate. Height is measured from the bottom of the pot to the top of the plant; diameter at the widest point.

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Care at a glance

Euphorbia abyssinica

Light

Full sun / direct • approx. 40,000–80,000 lux

Watering

Water when ~90–100% dry

Substrate

Gritty • Ultra fast-draining • Mineral-heavy • Fine-medium

Temperature

Ideal: 18–30 °C • Avoid below: 10 °C

Humidity

Average 40–50%

Growth habit

Upright succulent shrub or tree.

Support

not needed

Growth speed

Average

Cultivated size guide

Height: 300 cm • Spread: 150 cm

Toxicity & safety

Toxic

Origin & habitat

Native from northeastern Sudan to Somalia

Outdoor growing

Outside from 12 °C · sheltered spot

How to read these values

These care values give practical guidance for growing the plant. Adjust care for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.

For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.

Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.

Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
Growth speed: expected pace under suitable growing conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.

Cultivated size guide: approximate dimensions for an established plant in the stated growing context. Height is measured upwards from the growing surface; foliage height excludes flower stems. Trailing length follows a stem, while foliage drop is the vertical distance from the crown to the lowest leaf tips. Spread is the width of the leafy plant or crown, not an individual leaf. Flowering height includes the flower stems. A container guide applies to pot-grown plants; an in-ground guide applies to plants rooted in the ground. Size also depends on age, conditions, pot space and training.

These figures do not describe the size supplied and are not fixed upper limits.

Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.

Euphorbia abyssinica

Young plants build height through a few main upright stems. With age, those stems divide above the base and produce upright branches, gradually forming a branched crown.

Fresh growth can carry small temporary leaves, and mature plants may flower along the upper ridges. Additional branches increase the plant's width and weight.

Stems, branching and foliage of Euphorbia abyssinica

Columns: Thick water-storing stems are strongly angled and divided into broad green faces.
Ribs and spines: Paired spines sit along raised rib edges; older ridges can develop a corky texture with age.
Leaves: Narrow leaves may appear near actively growing tips and are naturally short-lived.
Branching: Higher branches divide into upright arms, creating a broad crown above the main stems.

Origin & background

Natural range and habitat of Euphorbia abyssinica

Euphorbia abyssinica occurs naturally from northeastern Sudan through Eritrea, Ethiopia and Djibouti to Somalia. It grows in desert, dry shrubland and other exposed dry vegetation across the Horn of Africa.

In the wild, it also grows on rocky uplands and well-drained slopes, with strong sun and long dry periods between rains.

Plant care

Indoor care for Euphorbia abyssinica

Light: Place it at a very bright window. Established plants can take several hours of direct sun once acclimated.
Temperature: Keep the plant between about 18 and 30 °C during normal growth, with protection from sustained temperatures below 10 °C. In cooler conditions, let the potting mix stay dry longer between waterings.
Humidity and airflow: Ordinary household humidity is suitable. Leave some space around the lower columns so the stem base can dry freely.
Watering: Water thoroughly once the potting mix is dry all the way through. When growth slows and temporary leaves become less frequent, wait longer after the mix dries before watering again.
Potting mix: Use a coarse cactus or succulent mix with grit or pumice, and always use a pot with a drainage hole.
Feeding: Give a small dose of low-nitrogen succulent fertiliser two or three times while new stems or branches are growing.
Repotting and stability: Inspect the roots when they fill the pot or the upper branches make the plant unstable. Move up in pot size only when the roots need more room; use a heavy outer pot when stability is the main issue.
Propagation: For propagation, let the cut end of a healthy branch dry and seal before placing it in a dry, fast-draining potting mix.

Issues & solutions

Common problems with Euphorbia abyssinica

The base becomes soft, dark or translucent: Persistent moisture can cause root or stem rot. Stop watering, unpot the plant and cut away all rot with a clean tool until only firm, healthy tissue remains. Discard the rotten material and let the cuts seal before repotting or rooting the healthy part.
Dry tan patches appear on the brightest side: Dry tan patches on the brightest side can follow a rapid increase in direct sun. Move the plant away from the strongest sun, then add direct sun back gradually.
White cottony deposits or fixed brown bumps collect along ribs: These signs can indicate mealybugs or scale around spine bases and branch joints. Isolate the plant, remove visible pests, then use a treatment labelled for the insect you find and follow its directions for repeat applications.
A tall plant begins to lean or tip its pot: A heavy crown or light coming mainly from one side can make a tall plant lean. Give it bright light from several directions and use a heavier pot if the plant is unstable.

Safety

Euphorbia abyssinica is toxic to people and pets

Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs, and avoid contact with its milky sap.
The milky sap is irritating and can burn the mouth or injure skin and eyes.
Sap exposure may cause painful irritation, while swallowing plant material can cause vomiting or stomach pain. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional promptly, especially after eye exposure.

Names & etymology

How did Euphorbia abyssinica get its name?

Euphorbia honours Euphorbus. Abyssinica means from Abyssinia, the historical regional name associated with Ethiopia.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Euphorbia in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 450.

Johann Friedrich Gmelin first described Euphorbia abyssinica in 1791 in Systema Naturae, thirteenth edition, page 759.

Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.