Other Names:  syn. Euphorbia lomelii

Description:

This unusual succulent plant features thick, arching, cylindrical stems that remain mostly leafless, or with tiny inconspicuous leaves; slipper-shaped orange-red flowers from mid-summer into fall; an interesting addition to the garden or containers

Ornamental Features

Slipper Plant features unusual orange flowers with red overtones along the stems from mid summer to late fall. Its tiny oval leaves remain green in color throughout the year. The lime green stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

Slipper Plant is an open herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Slipper Plant is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Vertical Accent
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Slipper Plant will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.

Slipper Plant is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.