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Euphorbia epithymoides

Cushion Spurge

Family EuphorbiaceaeGenus Euphorbia

A dense rounded mound of acid-yellow flower bracts in a bare garden bed
The whole plantChrumpsCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Ground Cover, Herbaceous PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
1-1.5 ft30-45 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
1-1.5 ft30-45 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Gold/Yellow, GreenExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, Germany, Greece and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Cushion spurge, also known as Euphorbia polychroma, is a compact, clump-forming perennial with acid-yellow flower heads in spring and summer. Its cultivar 'Major' holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Wikipedia: Euphorbia epithymoides

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 10, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 9, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: either

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 28 days to germinate.

40% germination in 14–28 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Euphorbia p. 142Public domain
Show the original text
Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae). E. polychroma seeds are enclosed in a hard case which is not readily removed until the seeds have been moist for a few days. Germination was 70(40% in 2-4 w) with seed DS 6 m at 40, 70(20% in 1-4 w) with seed DS 6 m at 70, and 70-40- 70(none) with fresh seed. The DS promotes germination. All seed started at 40 failed to germinate through four cycles, and outdoor treatment germ. only 5% in March and April. Light had no effect.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Euphorbia p. 142. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 10, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 9, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: either

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 28 days to germinate.

20% germination in 7–28 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Euphorbia p. 142Public domain
Show the original text
Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae). E. polychroma seeds are enclosed in a hard case which is not readily removed until the seeds have been moist for a few days. Germination was 70(40% in 2-4 w) with seed DS 6 m at 40, 70(20% in 1-4 w) with seed DS 6 m at 70, and 70-40- 70(none) with fresh seed. The DS promotes germination. All seed started at 40 failed to germinate through four cycles, and outdoor treatment germ. only 5% in March and April. Light had no effect.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Euphorbia p. 142. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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