Light
Full sun / direct • approx. 40,000–80,000 lux
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Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia lactea 'White Ghost' ('Grey Ghost')
- Curated selection:
Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal, your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
If you are buying the exact plant shown in the photos, this is clearly stated in the size section.
- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
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Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.
- Care basics , Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week , Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light, How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering , When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots, Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity, When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing, Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests, Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro, How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
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Euphorbia lactea 'White Ghost' ('Grey Ghost')
Quick Care Guide
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
Normal 40–50 %
Growth habit
Upright succulent shrub or tree.
Support
not needed
Growth speed
Slow
Max size indoors
Max. height: 300 cm • Max. spread: 150 cm
Toxicity & safety
Toxic
Origin & habitat
Cultivar of Euphorbia lactea; species native to Crested form of Euphorbia lactea
Outdoor growing
Outside from 12 °C · sheltered spot
How to read these values
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust 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 indoor conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term indoor size under good conditions.
- 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 lactea 'White Ghost' – Rare Variegated Euphorbia with Ghostly Stems
Euphorbia lactea 'White Ghost' (also traded as 'Grey Ghost') is one of the most iconic cultivars in the genus. Unlike the green form, this selection is almost completely devoid of chlorophyll, giving its triangular stems a creamy white to silvery-grey appearance. Arranged in dense candelabra form, the stems can eventually exceed 3 metres in height under ideal conditions, creating a sculptural silhouette that hardly resembles a living plant. Slow but steady, it adapts well to indoor culture and is more resilient on its own roots than often assumed.
What Makes Euphorbia lactea 'White Ghost' Unique
- Coloration: Nearly chlorophyll-free stems with creamy white, grey, and pale green marbling.
- Growth Habit: Upright triangular branches forming candelabra-like clusters.
- Size Potential: Can surpass 3 m in height in warm climates; more compact in pots indoors.
- Collector Appeal: Rare, architectural form that looks more like sculpture than a plant.
Natural Background of Euphorbia lactea
The species Euphorbia lactea is native to tropical Asia, particularly India and Sri Lanka, where it grows in arid scrub and dry forests. The 'White Ghost' cultivar originated in cultivation and does not occur naturally in the wild. Its variegation results from a lack of chlorophyll, making it slower growing and more light-sensitive than the standard green form.
Care Tips for Euphorbia lactea 'White Ghost'
- Light: Requires very bright light; acclimate gradually to avoid sunburn on pale stems.
- Watering: Follow a “soak and dry” method; allow soil to dry completely before watering again.
- Soil: Use a fast-draining mineral substrate with pumice, lava, or sand.
- Temperature: Warm-growing; keep above 15 °C and protect from frost.
- Fertilizer: Apply diluted cactus or succulent feed during active growth.
- Containers: Heavy pots help stabilize tall plants; ensure excellent drainage.
Points to Keep in Mind
- Growth Rate: Slower than green E. lactea due to reduced chlorophyll.
- Pests: Occasionally mealybugs or scale; inspect stems regularly.
- Toxicity: Like all Euphorbia, the latex sap is toxic and irritant; wear gloves when handling.
Why Collectors Prize Euphorbia lactea 'White Ghost'
The cultivar’s stark, ghostly tones and unusual architectural form set it apart from other Euphorbia. Its sculptural silhouette enhances minimalist interiors, desert-style plantings, and collector greenhouses. Despite its delicate look, it is surprisingly hardy when grown on its own roots, requiring little more than bright light and restraint with watering.
Etymology
The genus name Euphorbia is believed to honor Euphorbus, physician to King Juba II of Mauretania in the 1st century BCE, who was noted for using succulent plants medicinally. The cultivar epithet 'White Ghost' refers to its spectral pale coloration.
Add Euphorbia lactea 'White Ghost' to Your Collection
Few plants match the otherworldly presence of Euphorbia lactea 'White Ghost'. With its pale stems, slow-growing elegance, and bold architectural form, it’s a statement piece for any serious collector. Secure yours today and bring a touch of desert sculpture into your space.
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.
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