Scientific Name
Euphorbia characias 'Tasmanian Tiger'
Synonym(s)
Euphobia 'Tassie Tiger'
Scientific Classification
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily: Euphorbioideae
Tribe: Euphorbieae
Subtribe: Euphorbiinae
Genus: Euphorbia
Origin
This succulent was discovered and selected in 1993 in Sally Johannsohn's garden in Tasmania, Australia. It is a chance hybrid plant that resulted from the open pollination between Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii 'Lambrook Gold' and an unidentified cultivar of Euphorbia characias. This cultivar was patented (PP15715P2) in 2005.
Description
Euphorbia characias 'Tasmanian Tiger' is a perennial shrub with pale grey-green stems and variegated leaves with grey-green centers and creamy-white margins. It grows up to 3.3 feet (1 m) tall, nearly equal in width, typically from a woody base, displaying compact rounded growth. Leaves are linear to sword-shaped, up to 3.6 inches (9 cm) long, and up to 0.3 inches (0.75 cm) wide. The attractive flowers have creamy-white to creamy-yellow petal-like bracts with grey-green centers and appear in clusters at the top of the stems in spring and summer.
How to Grow and Care for Euphorbia characias 'Tasmanian Tiger'
Light: This succulent is a sun lover. Place your indoor E. characias 'Tasmanian Tiger' in a sunny window. You may place the pot on the balcony or in the garden from spring to fall. Increase sun exposure gradually to prevent sunburn.
Soil: E. characias 'Tasmanian Tiger' requires well-drained soil. Use a commercial potting mix formulated for succulents, or make your own.
Temperature: High summer temperatures are not a problem, but low winter temperatures can damage or kill your plant. E. characias 'Tasmanian Tiger' can withstand temperatures as low as 20 °F (-6.7 °C). USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9a to 11b, 20 to 50 °F (-6.7 to 10 °C).
Watering: From spring to fall, water when the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry. Reduce watering in winter. Give it just enough water to prevent wilting. The best time of the day to water your E. characias 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the warm season is the evening.
Fertilizing: Plants in a pot need regular feeding. Apply a balanced fertilizer in a 10-10-10 NPK formulation, diluted to 1/4 strength once a week during the growing season.
Repotting: E. characias 'Tasmanian Tiger' will benefit from repotting, but it does not need to be repotted every year. When your plant is outgrowing its pot, it is time to repot it in a larger pot and give it a fresh potting mix. The repotting is best done in early spring, at the beginning of the growing season. Wear gloves, protective clothing, and appropriate eye protection when repotting this succulent.
Propagation: This plant is easy to propagate by using stem cuttings. The best time to take cuttings is in spring or summer.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Euphorbia.
Toxicity of Euphorbia characias 'Tasmanian Tiger'
E. characias 'Tasmanian Tiger' produces a toxic white milky sap that can cause irritation to the skin and eyes. Therefore, it is best to keep your plant away from children and pets.
Links
- Back to genus Euphorbia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
