Euphorbia Lactea 'White Ghost' Care Guide
“I received my White Ghost! What do I do now?”
It is important that you do not repot your White Ghost right away. Ideally, keep it in its original pot for 3-4 months. If you received your White Ghost in the Fall, this will coincide with the plant’s semi-dormant winter period.
Euphorbia lactea ‘White Ghost’ is a nearly all white cultivar form of Euphorbia Lactea. It has triangular stems with spiked margins that grow tall in candelabra form. The White Ghost bears deciduous leaves that fall off when they are no longer useful. It is a xerophytic plant, having evolved to thrive in harsh dry environments.
All plants in the Euphorbiaceae family are toxic, containing a poisonous milky latex that oozes out if it is cut. Euphorbia 'White Ghost' lacks the chlorophyll-bearing cells and utilizes CAM (Crassulacean acid metabolism) to photosynthesize.
LIGHT Euphorbia lactea ‘White Ghost’ needs full sun, or at the very least a bright sunlit area. ‘White Ghost’ Euphorbia don’t have chlorophyll-bearing cells. The sun’s energy is the main component in the complicated CAM photosynthesis process.
HUMIDITY Low humidity is preferable for Euphorbia ‘White Ghost’ but it can handle higher room humidity as long as it’s not overwatered.
WATERING Euphorbia lactea ‘White Ghost’ is extremely sensitive to water. It can and will die quickly if overwatered. In general, it requires a typical succulent watering schedule. Generally, water when the top 3 inches of soil feels dry. Water it less often in winter, when it is semi-dormant and the top 5-6 inches feels dry.
SOIL Always use well-draining soil mix. You can buy pre-mixed soil or make your own with 1/3 perlite, 1/3 cactus soil mix, and 1/3 charcoal. This makes for an excellent, well-draining mix for all your euphorbias, cacti, and succulents.
Unlike any other, the visually stunning Euphorbia Lactea White Ghost is a collector's favourite! With the proper care, you’ll enjoy its creamy white coloration, tinges of pink and swirls of green and yellow for years to come!