Mediterranean spurge
Euphorbia characias
RHS Plants for Pollinators
USDA zones6 to 8
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to moderate soil
Size2 to 3 feet tall18 to 24 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Creeping
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Greenish-yellow
- Foliage color
- Blue, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia characias) is a perennial for borders, containers, and low maintenance gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 6, or down to -10°F (-23°C). This plant likes full or part sun and dry to average, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Deer and rabbits tend to pass it by. Greenish-yellow flowers open in spring and again in summer above blue-green evergreen foliage. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds visit the blooms.
Pairs well with Shasta daisy, Fountain grass, and Queen of Night tulip.
Native range
Southern Europe and Turkey.