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Christmas Candle

Also known as

Devil's Backbone and Dwarf Red Bird Cactus

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Nana'

Genus

Euphorbia

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Order

Malpighiales

How to care for Christmas Candle

💦 Water

How often to water your Christmas Candle

Christmas Candle 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.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Christmas Candle in your home

Christmas Candle love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Christmas Candle does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Christmas Candle

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Christmas Candle: 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 Christmas Candle after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Euphorbia

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Christmas Candle 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.

Christmas Candle Water Frequency →

Christmas Candle Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Christmas Candle 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 🏡.

Christmas Candle Light Requirements →

Christmas Candle Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Christmas Candle 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. Christmas Candle is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

💨 Humidity

Christmas Candle 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.

Christmas Candle Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Christmas Candle 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!

Best Soil Mix for Christmas Candle →

Best Pots for Christmas Candle →

When and How to Successfully Repot Christmas Candle →

What Are Healthy Christmas Candle Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Christmas Candle 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!

How Much and When to Fertilize Christmas Candle →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Christmas Candle 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

Christmas Candle is native to Worldwide.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Christmas Candle can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Christmas Candle Temperature Tolerance →

Christmas Candle Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Christmas Candle →

When to Plant Christmas Candle →

How to Plant Christmas Candle →

Where to Plant Christmas Candle →

Winter Care for Christmas Candle →

Best Companion Plants for Christmas Candle →

Is Christmas Candle a Weed? →

🧐 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 Bugs Affecting Christmas Candle →

What Eats Christmas Candle? →

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Christmas Candle. 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!