Euphorbia enopla

Euphorbia enopla is a houseplant with a very distinctive style, sought after for its false cactus silhouette and its long, carmine red thorns. In a light-filled living room, a conservatory or a very bright office, it brings a sculptural presence and all the charm of desert plants. This South African succulent plant suits contemporary, mineral-inspired or Mediterranean-inspired décors.

Belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, this species native to South Africa occurs in the Eastern Cape province, in dry to semi-arid habitats, often stony or sandy. In botany, Euphorbia enopla Boiss. is now known as Euphorbia heptagona, but the name Euphorbia enopla is still widely used in horticulture.
The plant forms a dense bush, branched from the base, composed of cylindrical stems slightly thickened in places, grey-green to blue-green, with 6 to 7 ribs. Its growth is slow to moderate. Indoors, it reaches 40 to 80 cm in height, sometimes more with age, and about 30 to 50 cm in width. Its leaves are tiny, quickly deciduous and almost invisible; it is therefore the fleshy stems and thorns that provide most of its appeal. The thorns are initially red to bright red and darken with age. The flowering is insignificant, as with many succulent euphorbias, and takes the form of small yellowish cyathia, of little ornamental interest indoors. Like other euphorbias, it contains a white latex that is irritating and toxic if ingested: handle with care, especially around children and animals.

Indoors, this euphorbia thrives in bright light or direct morning sun, in an airy, rather dry room, with humidity of around 30 to 50% and temperatures between 15 and 28 °C. Avoid temperatures below 10-12 °C. It doesn't like excess water and lack of light; it will enjoy a very bright living room, a temperate conservatory or being near a well-exposed window.

This succulent euphorbia fits well in very bright interiors, placed on a console table, a low piece of furniture or in a temperate conservatory where its bold, thorn-armed silhouette stands out. Surround it with terracotta pots or bare ceramic and mineral materials. To create a beautiful arrangement, associate it with houseplants that enjoy the same conditions, such as the Jade plant Crassula ovata, Gasteria 'D Nella', Haworthia 'Gasworthia', and another cactus spurge Euphorbia trigona. The combination mixes upright stems, compact rosettes and columnar silhouettes.