Euphorbia antisyphilitica (Candelilla)

Euphorbia antisyphilitica Photo/Illustration: Bill Johnson



Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Euphorbia antisyphilitica yew-FOR-bee-ah an-ty-sif-il-IT-ih-kah Common Name: Candelilla Genus: Euphorbia
Candelilla forms an upright clump of slender, waxy gray-green stems. Inconspicuous leaves appear on new growth but quickly drop with the first dry spell. Tiny flowers of cream and rosy pink periodically hug the upper portion of the stems throughout the warm season, particularly in response to rain. Candelilla is perfect for narrow planting strips because its stems grow straight up in tight bundles.
Noteworthy characteristics: This Southwestern U.S. native has drought-tolerant, waxy stems that resemble gray-green pencils. Its wax is used for candles, soap, polish, and ointments. The sap may irritate skin. It is a low-maintenance plant, but is sensitive to frost.
Care: Grow in full sun and well-drained soil. Ample water encourages the rhizomes to spread.
Problems: Infrequent.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Light Full Sun Only
Moisture Dry to Medium
Maintenance Low
Tolerance Drought Tolerant
Characteristics Native
Bloom Time Spring; Summer
Flower Color Pink Flower; White Flower
Uses Roadside
Style Desert Garden
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest, Summer Interest
Type Perennials,Shrubs

Plants you might also like

Melampodium leucanthum Melampodium leucanthum
(Blackfoot daisy)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A native perennial shrub that grows to about 2 feet tall and wide and covers itself the whole season with honey-scented, white and yellow daisy flowers. The foliage is typical of the aster family. Plant en masse in a well-drained border or use in a rock garden. Blackfoot daisy can be short-lived.

Salvia 'Maraschino' Salvia 'Maraschino'
('Maraschino' bush sage)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Maraschino' bush sage is a superb Salvia that is irresistible to hummingbirds and gardeners alike. Even after dying back to the ground in winter in the cooler zones, this plant comes back in full force each spring, reaching its full height and covering itself with cherry red blooms by midsummer. The flowers bloom nonstop through the first hard frost, and the leaves are sweetly fragrant. Plants do best when given afternoon shade. 'Maraschino' grows to 3 feet tall.

Yucca filamentosa ‘Golden Sword’ Yucca filamentosa ‘Golden Sword’
(Adam's needle, Bear grass, Weak-leaf yucca, Golden Sword soapwort)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This easy to grow evergreen yucca bears dramatic, sword-shaped yellow leaves with a dark green edge. Not as staunchly upright as some yuccas, its leaf tips sometimes droop with age. Its foliage color is best from fall to spring. Plants grow to nearly 2 feet in height and 3 feet in width. In summer, it produces a 6-foot-tall spike covered with nodding, fragrant, white bell-shaped flowers.

Euphorbia rigida
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This species is similar to E. myrsinites, but its habit is first erect before spreading, and its steely blue leaves are more narrow and pointed. It also bears terminal yellow bracts from early spring to summer.

Cordia parvifolia Cordia parvifolia
(Littleleaf cordia)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Though its leaves are small, this semi-deciduous shrub stands out in the landscape. Littleleaf cordia has a prolifically branching, slightly open form that looks good year-round. Its roughly textured, dark gray-green foliage contrasts nicely with its coppery brown young stems. From late spring into fall, branch tips bear clusters of pristine, white, funnel-shaped flowers to provide a visually cooling effect during the peak of summer heat. It grows to 6 to 8 feet tall and wide.