Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check if you recently moved the plant to a new spot.
- Examine the soil to see if it has been kept too wet.
- Look for any signs of pests on the undersides of the leaves.
Likely causes
Environmental Shock
Most likelyHow to tell: Leaves fall off shortly after you move the plant to a new location or bring it indoors. The plant otherwise looks healthy.
What to do: Keep the plant in a stable location with consistent full sun. Avoid moving it frequently once it has adjusted to a spot.
Severe Overwatering
PossibleHow to tell: Leaves turn yellow or brown before dropping off in large numbers. The soil is consistently wet and heavy.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and allow the soil to dry out completely. If the soil does not dry within a week, repot the plant into fresh, dry soil.
Find out what's wrong with your flowering spurge
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
A few leaves dropping during the transition between seasons is normal. Worry if the plant is losing a large percentage of its foliage at once.
Stopping it coming back
Provide stable conditions and avoid sudden changes in light or temperature. Only water when the top few inches of soil are dry.
Flowering Spurge: leaf drop? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your flowering spurge and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Does this plant flower?
- Yes, it produces tiny white flowers that look like petals. It needs full sun to bloom well, so if it is not flowering, move it to a brighter spot.
- Is leaf drop permanent?
- The plant will not grow leaves back on the same spot of the stem, but it will continue to grow new foliage from the tips. It may look a bit bare for a while.
More problems with Flowering Spurge
Back to the Flowering Spurge guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.