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5.0 out of 5 (5 experiences)


About Crested Elkhorn
Crested Elkhorn is a relatively rare houseplant šæ that needs very little water to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light āļø 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 only 85 being grown with Greg around the world. Check out the reviews below for more details!š
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.
Taxonomy
Euphorbia lactea f. cristata
Euphorbia
Euphorbiaceae
Malpighiales
Also known as
Coral Cactus and Crested Candelabra Plant

How to care for Crested Elkhorn
How often to water your Crested Elkhorn

every 12
Crested Elkhorn needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesnāt 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.
Water 0.5 cups every
12
Finding light for Crested Elkhorn in your home

a window
Crested Elkhorn love being close to bright, sunny windows š.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Crested Elkhorn does not tolerate low-light š«.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Crested Elkhorn in your home š”.
How to fertilize Crested Elkhorn

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 itās 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 yearāwhichever comes first.
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thereās a brown spot on my plant and it seems to be spreading. not sure how to fix her, or how to stop the spread!! the top isnāt as pink as it used to be either {look at the picture of her in my tagged plant profile} help please #CoralReef
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May I see pix of your Euphorbia bicompacta please? #Euphorbia
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Turning red and a couple of leaves drooping I know the leaves can turn red but I wasn't sure about the rest of it. #Euphorbia
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#help is this normal #Euphorbia #dragonboneeuphorbia
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Help! My #Euphorbia's main stem is rotting! How do I propagate this to try and salvage some of him?
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New plant haul! Love weird looking cacti/succulents. Also last Pic, next to the Hoya crimson queen, can someone help id this plant? Is it a peperomia? #HappyPlants #PlantAddict #Hoya #CactusClique #SucculentSquad #PlantID #WeirdPlants #Euphorbia
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I rescued this sad fella. Any tips? Can it recover and grow new leaves? #Euphorbia
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I adopted Navajo a couple days ago. He has this section that Iām worried about. Should I cut it off? Help!! #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #Euphorbia #HappyPlants #PlantAddict #PlantTherapy #NewPlantMom #GregGang #AfricanMilkBush #help
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Itās been forever since Iāve posted anything. But I missed this and decided that thereās no time like the present to come back. My Baseball Euphorbia continues to bloom like crazy. I think he really wants a female around to pollinate. 𤣠My Snowflake Euphorbia has put out its first blooms since I got it. I think itās female? š¤·š»āāļø @SirLiquorice can you tell from the picture? #Euphorbia #Baseball #Snowflake #CactusClique
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What type of soil should I use? I have a bunch of Madagascar Jewel Euphorbia I started from seeds that a friend gave me. She also gave me a baby that sprouted from her plant. The baby has barely grown, but the seedlings are growing like crazy and are ready for a real pot. The seedlings love the seed starting stuff (it was the little Jiffy pellets in the plastic tray with a dome). The baby doesnāt seem to like the soil they it came to me in. What is the correct soil for Madagascar Jewel Euphorbia? Iām much more familiar with succulent Euphorbia and I donāt know anything about the leafy types. #MadagascarJewel #Euphorbia
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.
āļø 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 šŖ. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home š”.
š¶ š š¶ Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plantās toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, itās always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA atĀ US (888) 426-4435.
šØ 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.
šŖ“ Soil
Crested Elkhorn is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesnāt 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!
š© Fertilizer
Crested Elkhorn grows very slowly and doesnāt require added fertilizer. Replacing your plantās potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
āļø Dormancy
Itās 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.
š Native Region
Crested Elkhorn is native to Worldwide.
šø Flowers
Crested Elkhorn produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.
š§ 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.
Care Summary for Crested Elkhorn
Crested Elkhorn
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4ā pot your plant is in, and that it doesnāt get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say







This is a beautiful blend of two cactuses. Lives light so Iāll 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. Iāve touched it recently and no reaction but I do have many pets. Use caution


