Plant Care Crested Elkhorn

Crested Elkhorn

5.0 out of 5 (5 experiences)

Crested Elkhorn has a Survivor plant personality Survivor
Crested Elkhorn has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves

About Crested Elkhorn

Crested Elkhorn is a popular houseplant 🌿 that needs very little water to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Plant parents describe this plant as being a survivor and having large, lush leaves with a whopping 115 being grown with Greg around the world. Check out the reviews below for more details!🌟

Crested Elkhorn likes soil that is extremely well-draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

⚠️ Crested Elkhorn is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. These plants are not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Taxonomy

Euphorbia lactea f. cristata
Euphorbia
Euphorbiaceae
Malpighiales

Also known as

Coral Cactus and Crested Candelabra Plant

How to care for Crested Elkhorn

💦 Water

How often to water your Crested Elkhorn

Water needs for Crested Elkhorn
0.5 cups
every 12

Crested Elkhorn needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Crested Elkhorn

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Crested Elkhorn in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Crested Elkhorn: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Crested Elkhorn love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Crested Elkhorn does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Crested Elkhorn in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Crested Elkhorn

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Crested Elkhorn: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Crested Elkhorn after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
💦 Water Needs

Crested Elkhorn thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Crested Elkhorn requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Crested Elkhorn is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Crested Elkhorn is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.


💨 Humidity

Crested Elkhorn enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.


🪴 Soil

Crested Elkhorn is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!


💩 Fertilizer

Crested Elkhorn grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Crested Elkhorn to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.


🌎 Native Region

Crested Elkhorn is native to Worldwide.


🌸 Flowers

Crested Elkhorn produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Crested Elkhorn can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Crested Elkhorn. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


Care Summary for Crested Elkhorn

Crested Elkhorn

Crested Elkhorn


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 12 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Crested Elkhorn has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 4
Crested Elkhorn has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 1
@CalitoCarolina avatar
@@CalitoCarolina
leaf-1 110 Plants
xp 10,242 XP
globe Carolina Beach, NC
01/17/2022

This is a beautiful blend of two cactuses. Lives light so I’ll find a dry place outside. But it is toxic. All parts of the Coral cactus are poisonous and should not be ingested by humans or animals. And, it produces a sap which should be cleaned off immediately to prevent skin irritation. After handling it's wise to wash your hands or use gloves. I’ve touched it recently and no reaction but I do have many pets. Use caution

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@zay avatar
@@zay
leaf-1 48 Plants
xp 3,075 XP
globe Albuquerque, NM
08/12/2021

I’ve had this plant for awhile now and it’s been super easy & carefree. This summer, I had it on my patio as well & it had developed a really pretty purple-pink-red around the edges of the top!

Survivor Survivor
Olivia avatar
@Olivia
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 25 XP
globe Austin, TX
04/27/2021

almost all of them come with tightly-packed but rocky soil, so be careful when handling.

Survivor Survivor

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