Many gardeners consider it a weed because it spreads quickly in lawns and gravel paths.

Does it need much water?

No, it is highly drought tolerant 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
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 5 to 10 cm tall, 30 to 60 cm spread
Growth rate: fast
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

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: -10 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 the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.

Safety

People: The milky sap is highly irritating to the skin and eyes and is considered toxic if ingested.
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 due to the toxic, irritating sap that can cause serious eye injury.
Contact allergens: The white latex sap can cause severe contact dermatitis or blistering upon skin exposure.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence that this plant causes respiratory allergies.
Edibility: This plant is not edible and should never be consumed.

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 0.1m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, green, 0.2 to 0.5cm
Fruit: green, brown

Common problems

Root rot — This occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long, causing the roots to decay.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: In colder regions, it typically dies back to the ground after the first frost.
In containers: It grows well in shallow, wide containers, provided the drainage is excellent.

Seed

Collect seeds from the small capsules once they dry and turn brown.
Sow seeds directly into well draining soil in the spring.
Keep the soil lightly moist until germination occurs.

Pair this plant with other low water, sun loving species to create a stable, drought resistant ground cover.

Grows well with

Blue Grama — This grass provides a nice textural contrast while sharing similar water needs.
Prickly Pear — They both thrive in hot, dry, sunny conditions.

Similar species

Spotted Spurge — It shares a very similar growth habit and milky sap.

Science

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Native to the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through South America.
Conservation: It is a common, widespread species and is not currently of conservation concern.

It survives by forming dense, low mats that shade out competitors and conserve soil moisture.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: ground cover, rock garden filler, xeriscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it a weed?: Many gardeners consider it a weed because it spreads quickly in lawns and gravel paths.
Does it need much water?: No, it is highly drought tolerant once established.

Where the name comes from

The name Euphorbia honors Euphorbus, a Greek physician, while serpens refers to its creeping, snake like stems.

Good to know

It is often called matted sandmat because of its low, creeping growth habit.
The tiny flowers are actually specialized structures called cyathia.
It can thrive in sidewalk cracks and other inhospitable urban spaces.

Is your creeping spurge looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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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.