[Arid_gardener] euphorbia rigida turning yellow

[Janet Howe]

Original Questions:  

Jeanette
85255
tallezvous at cox.net

I planted a gopher plant (Euphorbia Rigida) in May. It gets full
southern sun and was hand watered for the first 2 weeks, every 3rd day,
thereafter one time per week. The problem is that the plant has lost its
silver green color and the leaves have been turning yellow from the
bottom up. Is this due to too much sun, too much or too little water? I
bought another gopher 1 week ago and again the lower leaves are starting
to turn yellow. I've followed the watering schedule as recommended by
the nursery where I purchased the plants and I'm concerned that the
plants will die. Any advice you can offer will be very helpful.

Thanks in advance!  


Answer:

Jeannette, I have a euphorbia rigida and experienced the same issue not
too long ago.  I've had mine for a few years, but about a month ago the
same symptoms began occurring -- I determined that the plant was needing
a little more water than I was giving it, and I put a shade cloth over
it to give it some extra protection for the sun.  In a few weeks, it
started looking much better.  You don't say what sort of exposure your
plant(s) are getting, but remember that this of the year is very hard on
new plants.  You might want to try providing shade cloth till the fall
to protect the plant.  It will take a while for plants put into the
ground this time of year to get established, so careful watering and
protecting it from too much sun are vital.   Eurphorbias like well
draining soil.  Plan to deep water (for this plant, allow the water to
soak into the ground at least a foot -- use or garden probe or other
tool to check by pushing it into the ground as far as it will go -- when
it stops, you've determined how far down your water has reached)and
allow it to dry out somewhat between waterings -- euphorbias do not like
to be over watered. How much/long you need to water will be determined
by the type of soil you have, so the garden probe method works very well
if you're not sure how much water the plant it getting.  Your plants
should begin growing in earnest once things cool off in the fall, so
until then give them some extra TLC & protection from the elements and
they should do just fine.  Good luck!

Janet Howe
Master Gardener volunteer
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension