Is this plant invasive?

It can be aggressive in disturbed areas but is generally considered a native colonizer.

Does it need much water?

No, it prefers very dry conditions once established.

Plant guide

Creeping Spurge.

Euphorbia serpens

Pronounced yoo-FOR-bee-uh SER-penz

Also known as Matted Sandmat, creeping spurge, matted spurge, round-leafed spurge, round-leaved sandmat, round-leaved spreading spurge, round-leaved spurge

Creeping spurge is a low growing, mat forming plant that thrives in sunny, disturbed areas. It spreads quickly along the ground, making it a common sight in lawns and garden beds. Its small, succulent leaves and prostrate habit help it survive in tough, dry conditions.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 5 to 10 cm tall, 30 to 60 cm spread
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 8 to 11
Bloom time: Spring to fall

Care

This plant is quite hardy and needs very little attention once established. Keep an eye out for its rapid spread, as it can easily outcompete desired plants in your garden. If you need to remove it, make sure to pull the entire root system to prevent it from coming back.

Watering: Water only when the soil has dried out completely, as this plant prefers dry conditions.
Feeding: It rarely needs fertilizer, but a light application in spring can support growth.
Pruning: Trim back stems if the plant begins to spread into areas where it is not wanted.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant has outgrown its container or the soil has become depleted.
Soil: Well draining, sandy or rocky soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Annual or short lived perennial
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Stunted growth
Soil becoming compacted

Safety

People: The milky sap is highly toxic and can cause severe skin and eye irritation.
Pets: The milky sap is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested or if it contacts their skin.
Children: Keep this plant away from children as the toxic sap is dangerous if touched or ingested.
Contact allergens: The milky latex sap is a potent skin irritant and can cause blistering upon contact.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies associated with this species.
Edibility: This plant is not edible and can cause severe irritation if ingested.

How to identify it

Prostrate, mat forming growth habit
Small, opposite, oval shaped leaves
Milky white sap inside stems
Tiny, inconspicuous flowers
Stems often reddish or purplish

Height: 0.02 to 0.05m
Spread: 0.1 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, reddish, deciduous
Flowers: white, pink, 0.2 to 0.4cm
Fruit: brown, Summer to fall

Problems to watch for

Root RotCommon
AphidsUncommon
Powdery MildewUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

Check your creeping spurge from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant dry and protected from heavy frost. It will likely die back in cold climates.
In containers: It grows well in shallow, wide containers with excellent drainage.

Seed

1. Collect seeds from dried capsules.
2. Sow in sandy soil during spring.
3. Keep lightly moist until germination.

Pair this plant with other drought tolerant species to avoid overwatering issues.

Grows well with

Desert Sage — It shares similar requirements for full sun and low water.
Prickly Pear — They both thrive in arid, rocky conditions.

Similar species

Spotted Spurge — It has a similar prostrate growth habit but with distinct leaf markings.

Science

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central and South America, naturalized in parts of North America.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered or protected.

It thrives in open, sandy, or gravelly habitats where it outcompetes other plants by forming dense, low mats.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: groundcover, rock garden plant, xeriscaping

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Salinity: 3/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant invasive?: It can be aggressive in disturbed areas but is generally considered a native colonizer.
Does it need much water?: No, it prefers very dry conditions once established.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Euphorbus, a Greek physician, while the species name refers to its creeping, serpentine growth habit.

Good to know

It is commonly called matted sandmat.
The plant grows in a flat, circular pattern close to the ground.
It is highly adapted to hot, dry environments.
The tiny flowers are surrounded by leaf like structures called cyathia.

Also in

Keep your creeping spurge growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

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