1 named cultivar

‘Chameleon’Chameleon Spurge

perennial

Spurge

The Story

Plant Bio

Euphorbia dulcis, the sweet spurge, is a bushy rhizomatous perennial from Europe, forming a compact mound twelve to eighteen inches high and as wide. Erect stems carry oblong dark green to bronze-flushed leaves, and heads of yellow bracts tinged with purple open in May and June. The foliage colours well again in autumn.

Unlike most spurges grown here it takes genuine shade and moisture, which makes it a woodland plant rather than a gravel-garden one, and the bronze-leaved forms hold their colour best out of harsh sun. The milky sap is toxic and irritant like the rest of the genus, so gloves are not optional when cutting it.

Uses & Benefits:

Bronze-flushed foliage with yellow purple-tinged bracts in spring and good autumn colour.

One of the few spurges that suits humus-rich shade rather than dry gravel, and it needs almost no care.

Early bracts offer nectar in spring, and the sap deters deer and rabbits entirely.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

16 inches

Width

18 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low to medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Europe

Toxicity

Sap is toxic and irritant

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in full sun to part shade.
Choose humus-rich, dry to medium, well-drained soil.
Give afternoon shade in hot summer regions.
Water moderately; established plants tolerate some dryness.
Cut spent stems out at the base, wearing gloves.
Remove unwanted self-sown seedlings in spring.

Pro Tip

It self-seeds more than most spurges; pull the seedlings while small, wearing gloves, rather than letting them establish.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Wear gloves whenever you cut or pull it 🧤
Give it humus-rich, free-draining soil 🍂
Site it in light shade in hot regions 🌤️
Enjoy the autumn foliage colour 🍁

Don't

Handle the cut stems bare-handed ❌
Plant it in waterlogged ground ❌
Let self-sown seedlings establish unnoticed ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Cut Back
Weed

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Woodland edge and shaded border plantingFoliage accent in a mixed borderContainer planting for bronze foliage

Companion Plants

Hellebore Hardy Geranium Hosta BergeniaJapanese Painted Fern

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Spurge questions

What zones can Spurge grow in?

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 Spurge deer resistant?

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

When does Spurge bloom?

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

Does Spurge need full sun?

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

Is Spurge drought tolerant?

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