1 named cultivar

‘Carolina Snow’Flowering Spurge

perennialN. America Native

Flowering Spurge

The Story

Plant Bio

Euphorbia corollata, flowering spurge, is an upright clumping perennial native from southeastern Canada through the central and eastern United States, reaching two to three feet. Airy sprays of small white flowers open from summer into autumn on thin wiry stems, giving an effect much like baby's breath. Narrow blue-green leaves turn red and orange in autumn.

What look like petals are bracts, as in all spurges, and the stems bleed a milky sap that irritates skin and eyes — worth gloves when cutting. It is exceptionally drought-tolerant once its deep taproot is down, and that same taproot means it resents being moved after its first year.

Uses & Benefits:

Clouds of small white bracts over wiry stems from summer to autumn, then red and orange leaf colour.

Thrives on poor dry ground and needs no watering, feeding or staking once established.

Pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators; seeds are eaten by quail, bobwhite and mourning doves.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

30 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Southeastern Canada to the central and eastern United States

Toxicity

Toxic if ingested

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in well-drained, even poor soil.
Choose full sun to partial shade.
Site it where it can stay; the taproot dislikes moving.
Water to establish, then leave it alone.
Do not feed; lean ground keeps it upright.
Cut back in late winter.

Pro Tip

Plant it once and leave it — the deep taproot makes an established plant almost impossible to transplant successfully.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it full sun and sharp drainage ☀️
Wear gloves when cutting stems 🧤
Leave it unfed in lean soil 🌱
Use it as an airy filler in a meadow border ✨

Don't

Move an established plant ❌
Let sap contact skin or eyes ❌
Overwater or overfeed it ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Meadow and prairie plantingDry slope and bankAiry filler in a sunny border

Companion Plants

Butterfly Weed Little Bluestem Purple Coneflower Black-Eyed Susan Wild Bergamot

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Flowering Spurge questions

What zones can Flowering Spurge grow in?

Flowering Spurge is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Flowering Spurge deer resistant?

Yes — Flowering Spurge is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Flowering Spurge bloom?

Flowering Spurge typically blooms in summer to fall through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Flowering Spurge need full sun?

Flowering Spurge does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Flowering Spurge drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Flowering Spurge handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.