{"product_id":"devils-backbone-5-pot-crm","title":"Devil's Backbone Cream - 5\" Pot","description":"\u003cp\u003eEuphorbia tithymaloides, commonly Devil's Backbone, is an unusual succulent shrub with distinctive zigzag stems and neat rows of small, often variegated green-and-white leaves edged in pink. Native to tropical America and widely naturalised in India, it is a tough, drought-tolerant plant grown for its sculptural form in pots, borders and rockeries. It thrives in bright light and warm conditions, needing little water once established. The architectural stems and tidy foliage make it a popular low-maintenance accent for Indian balconies and gardens, though its milky sap is irritant and should be handled with care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEuphorbiaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical America; naturalised in India\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.6-2 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.5-1 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall variegated green-white-pink leaves on zigzag stems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall red\/pink bracts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarm months\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical and subtropical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright light to full sun; tolerates part shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDrought tolerant; water when soil dries fully\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSandy, gritty, very well-drained succulent mix\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18-35 C; protect from frost\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to moderate; tolerates dry air\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight feed once or twice in growing season\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTrim to shape; cut leggy stems back\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvery 2-3 years; likes being slightly snug\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStem cuttings dried then rooted in dry mix\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMealybugs and scale occasionally\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eToxic; milky sap irritates skin, eyes, mouth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;Grown as a sculptural, drought-tolerant accent in pots, rockeries and borders. Valued for its zigzag stems and variegated foliage.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;In India plant it in gritty, fast-draining soil and bright light; water sparingly and let it dry between waterings, and always wear gloves when cutting it due to the irritant sap.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water Devil's Backbone?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater only when the soil has dried out fully; it is drought tolerant and rots if kept wet, so err on the dry side.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much light does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt prefers bright light to full sun, which keeps it compact and enhances the pink variegation; it tolerates part shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo, it is toxic and its milky sap irritates skin, eyes and mouth, so keep it away from pets and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat soil should I use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse a gritty, sandy, very well-drained succulent or cactus mix to prevent root rot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I propagate it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eTake stem cuttings, let the cut end dry and callus for a day or two, then root them in a dry, well-drained mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy is the sap leaking when I cut it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt exudes irritant milky latex; wear gloves and eye protection, and wash off any sap that touches your skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need much fertilizer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery little; a light feed once or twice during the growing season is enough for this tough plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, in a very bright spot indoors, though it stays more compact and colourful outdoors in strong light.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I repot it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRepot every 2-3 years; it tolerates being slightly snug and dislikes overly large, wet pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the stems growing leggy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLegginess is caused by insufficient light; move it brighter and prune back the stretched stems to encourage bushiness.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51256110252278,"sku":"PLT-DEVILSBACKBO-P05-CRM","price":199.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-g-plants-euphorbia-tithymaloides-pedilanthus-green-plant_9f6ca40e-1e10-4120-ab0b-208ca55232dc.jpg?v=1783921184","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/devils-backbone-5-pot-crm","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}