Propagating Crown-of-Thorns (Euphorbia milii) – it’s easy from cuttings

Crown-of-thorns is a very easy houseplant to grow from cuttings. We’ll tell you how.

The Crown of Thorns, also known as Christ’s thorn, is one of those indoor plants that blooms in winter and brightens our mood. This popular indoor plant is easy to propagate from cuttings.

Propagating Christ’s thorn from cuttings

Propagation from cuttings is very easy. The best chance of success is to propagate in spring or early summer.

Proceed as follows:

Two days before taking the cuttings, water the crown of thorns thoroughly. This will ensure that the plant is well supplied with water.
Use a sterile knife to take the cuttings. Each cutting should be between 3 and 4 inches long.
Hold the cut end under cold water or place it in a jar of lukewarm water for half an hour to stop the milky sap flowing. Be aware that the latex is toxic and wear gloves.
Remove all but the top three or four leaves.
Leave to dry in a shaded area for two days until a callus has formed over the cut.
Fill small plant pots with cactus soil, potting soil or other well-draining soil and insert the cuttings about 1.5 inches into the soil.
Place the pots in a warm, light but not sunny location.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
The first roots will form after a few weeks. When the young poinsettias sprout, water and care for them as you would the full-grown plants.

The right location for the crown-of-thorns

The crown of thorns is native to Madagascar. It loves warm temperatures and a sunny location. As an indoor plant, it thrives in a south-facing window in temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. To encourage Christ thorn to flower, it is best to keep the room temperature at 18 degrees between October and April.

This ornamental succulent likes to spend the summer outdoors. It is important that the temperature is above 18 degrees. It is important to prepare the plant carefully for its stay in the garden and place it in a shady spot for the first two weeks. Read here how to care for your houseplants in the summer.