Is it easy to grow from seed?

Yes, but seeds often require a period of cold stratification to germinate well.

Does it spread aggressively?

It can self-seed in ideal conditions, but it is generally well-behaved in a garden setting.

Plant guide

Flowering Spurge.

Euphorbia corollata

Pronounced yoo-FOR-bee-uh kor-oh-LAY-tuh

Also known as American spurge, blooming spurge, eastern flowering spurge, flowering spurge, floweringspurge euphorbia, poison-milkweed

The flowering spurge is a lovely native perennial that produces clouds of tiny white flowers. It is a hardy plant that thrives in dry, sunny spots where other plants might struggle. You will love how its delicate appearance adds a touch of elegance to your garden beds.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Plant this in well draining soil to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal that the soil is staying too wet. It is quite drought tolerant once it is established in your garden.

Watering: Water deeply only when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is plenty.
Pruning: Cut back dead stems in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth.
Repotting: This plant prefers to stay in one spot and does not need frequent repotting.
Soil: Sandy or rocky soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 30 to 60%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Safety

People: The milky sap is a skin and eye irritant that can cause blistering upon contact.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested and the sap can cause skin irritation.
Children: Keep this plant away from children as the sap is highly irritating to skin and eyes, and ingestion causes severe stomach upset.
Contact allergens: The milky latex sap contains diterpene esters that cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence that this plant causes respiratory allergies.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and should never be consumed.

How to identify it

Clusters of small white flowers
Milky white sap inside stems
Narrow, lance shaped green leaves
Upright stems reaching two feet
Petal like white bracts

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

Root rot · Occurs when the soil remains too wet for extended periods.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back the dead stems to the ground in late autumn or early winter. No special protection is needed as it is fully hardy.
In containers: It is not well-suited for containers due to its deep taproot, which requires significant soil depth.

Seed

Collect seeds in late summer.
Store in a cold, dry place.
Sow in pots in late winter for cold stratification.

Pair this plant with other drought-tolerant prairie natives to create a low-maintenance, water-wise landscape.

Grows well with

Little Bluestem · They share similar dry, sunny habitat requirements.
Purple Coneflower · The white flowers provide a nice contrast to the purple blooms of the coneflower.

Similar species

Snow-on-the-mountain · It has similar white bracts but is an annual species.

Science

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern and central North America.
Conservation: It is considered secure throughout most of its range, though it is protected in some specific states.

It is a hardy perennial that survives in dry, open habitats by developing a deep taproot.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, supports diverse beneficial insects
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, beetles
Uses: prairie restoration, pollinator gardens, cut flower filler

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it easy to grow from seed?: Yes, but seeds often require a period of cold stratification to germinate well.
Does it spread aggressively?: It can self-seed in ideal conditions, but it is generally well-behaved in a garden setting.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Euphorbus, a physician to King Juba II, while the species name corollata refers to the small, crown-like white bracts.

Good to know

It is commonly known as flowering spurge.
The roots can grow very deep, making it drought tolerant once established.
It thrives in poor, sandy soils where other plants struggle.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.