Euphorbia humifusa
Euphorbia humifusa
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
Pl. 7B05 — Euphorbia humifusa
Euphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusaEuphorbia humifusa
IOverview
Overview
Euphorbia humifusa, commonly known as spreading spurge, is an annual plant native to a wide range of regions including Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, and various parts of China and Russia. It thrives in light (sandy) and medium soil with a pH between 7 and 7.5, making it adaptable to dry and moist conditions. Native to the northern regions of its range, this plant is known for its edible leaves and shoots, which can be consumed as part of local cuisine. One distinctive feature of Euphorbia humifusa is its sprawling habit, reaching a height of only 0.2 meters, while another notable characteristic is its light energy requirement, rated at 9 out of 10.
Quick answers
What is Euphorbia humifusa?
Euphorbia humifusa, commonly known as spreading spurge, is an annual plant native to a wide range of regions including Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, and various parts of China and Russia. It thrives in light (sandy) and medium soil with a pH between 7 and 7.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Euphorbia humifusa thrives in light to moist conditions and prefers well-draining soils with a pH of 7-7.5. It is an annual that grows up to 0.2 meters tall and requires plenty of light. This plant can be propagated through seeds or cuttings. Given its native range across temperate regions, it is hardy in such areas but may require protection in more extreme climates. Harvest edible parts like leaves and shoots as needed.
Light
9/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Life cycle
Annual
Mature size
0.2 m tall
Soil pH
7–7.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Euphorbia humifusa for the first time
8steps
Start with Euphorbia humifusa as an easy-to-grow ground cover for beginners.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or small plants, a garden trowel, and a watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring after the last frost or in late summer for fall bloom.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a well-draining soil with a pH between 7 and 7.5, and prepare by mixing in some compost.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.2 meters apart or plant small plants at the same spacing.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged, and protect from extreme temperatures.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide light shade during hot afternoons, and water when the top inch of soil dries out.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves to maintain a neat appearance; no need for harvesting edible parts.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soils, and not providing enough light are common pitfalls.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesShoots
Edible uses: The leaves and shoots of Euphorbia humifusa are edible. Typically, these parts are harvested and prepared fresh for consumption, often eaten raw or lightly cooked in salads. The plant grows best in light to medium soil with a pH of 7–7.5.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Europe2 regions
native (2)RussiaUkraine
Asia8 regions
native (8)ChinaIranJapanKazakhstanSouth KoreaTaiwanTurkeyUzbekistan
Broader regions
native:Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Hainan, Irkutsk, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tuva, Yakutskiya, Altay, Nansei-shoto, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 7b05155b-441d-4274-8baf-2615b2551a5f
Decision aid
Choosing between Euphorbia humifusa and something else?
Continue reading
❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates
Get archive updates
Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.