Christmas Candle
Also known as
Devil's Backbone and Dwarf Red Bird Cactus
Taxonomy
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Nana'
Euphorbia
Euphorbiaceae
Malpighiales
How to care for Christmas Candle
Water
How often to water your Christmas Candle
every 12
Christmas Candle needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesnât get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot located in New York.
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
Light
Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.
New York, New York
30% Very Low
Growing Christmas Candle in New York right now
Plant growth potential is currently low đ
January 28th, 2022
Sunlight intensity as measured by ânet radiationâ in New York is currently low đ.
The availability of high quality sunlight in your home impacts ability for plants to thrive and is key in determinâŠ
Sunlight will increase by 37% âïž
January 28th, 2022
New York is trending towards greater sunlight intensity!
The amount of sunlight in New York is expected to increase by 37% over the next 2 weeks to an average of 9.0 megajoules of energy per m2 peâŠ
Daylight will increase by 1.0 hours đ
January 28th, 2022
This month, New York is getting an average of 6.8 hours of clear sky sunlight per day.
Hours of daylight will increase by 11% over the next two weeks. Your plants will get 10.3 total hours of daylâŠ
Finding light for Christmas Candle in your home
a window
Christmas Candle love being close to bright, sunny windows đ.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive during this time of reduced sunlight intensity in New York â .
Christmas Candle does not tolerate low-light đ«.
Nutrients
How to fertilize Christmas Candle
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 itâs 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 yearâwhichever comes first.
When to repot Christmas Candle
Is this a good time of year to repot? No âł
January 28th, 2022
The growing potential in New York is low đ.
Repotting in late fall or winter when the day lengths are shorter can be very stressful for a plant and cause it to go into shock.
It's best to repoâŠ
FAQs
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.
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 đȘ. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home đĄ.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plantâs toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, itâs 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 at US (888) 426-4435.
Humidity
Christmas Candle prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
Soil
Christmas Candle is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesnât 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
Christmas Candle grows very slowly and doesnât require added fertilizer. Replacing your plantâs potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
Itâs 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.
Care Summary for Christmas Candle
Christmas Candle
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 12 days
Placement
< 1ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on your location in New York, the 4â pot your plant is in, and that it doesnât get direct sunlight.
