The Devil’s Backbone plant is a shrub and may eventually reach three to four feet in height. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! June-JulyProvide plenty of bright light and lots of water. Passionate about plants? Whatever you call it, learn how to grow the devil’s backbone plant for unique and easy to care for indoor flora. If you have a bright spot, it's a wonderfully easy-to-grow houseplant, purifying the air and adding a dose of drama to indoor decor. Among them are redbird flower, devil's-backbone, redbird cactus, Jewbush, buck-thorn, cimora misha, Christmas candle, fiddle flower, ipecacuahana, Jacob's ladder, Japanese poinsettia, Jew's slipper, milk-hedge, myrtle-leaved spurge, Padus-leaved clipper plant, red slipper spurge, slipper flower, slipper plant, slipper spurge, timora misha, and zig-zag plant. Here are some care tips for a Devil’s Backbone plant. The plant is native to the subtropical regions of Central America and North America. If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Check out more low-water houseplant options. Besides the Devil’s Backbone plant, it’s commonly called: That’s just part of the list. For a bushy plant, pinch out the tips of the plant occasionally. So are we! The thick branches and stems have a zig-zag pattern and produce small, oval-shaped leaves with pointed tips. Light: bright indirect light Very few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. Here are a few tips on caring for this unique plant. Euphorbia tithymaloides has a large number of household names used by gardeners and the public. They look like small bumps on the leaves. You only need one leaf on each cutting, so you should be able to take as many cuttings as you want. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. April-MayBegin to water more and starting feeding every 3-4 weeks. Peters Classic 20-20-20 All Purpose Fertilizer, 8-Ounce, How To Grow The Crown of Thorns plant (Euphorbia milii), What Is A Firestick Plant? Read more articles about Devil’s Backbone Plants. The Devil’s Backbone plant – Pedilanthus tithymaloides [ped-ill-AN-thus tih-ee-mal-OY-deez] with its zig-zag stems give it a distinct look. Pinching the tips helps encourage thicker growth. The plant is a member of the spurge family. Take stem cuttings in the early summer. In other parts of the world, it is known as gin-ryu (Japan… Use unglazed pots, which allow excess moisture to freely evaporate and prevent wet root damage. Other than pinching, plants need no particular grooming tasks. Devil’s Backbone Plant Info: How To Grow The Devil’s Backbone Plant Indoors. No devil’s backbone plant info would be complete without noting that the milky sap may be poisonous to some people. Allow the cuttings to dry for several hours. Let the cut end callus for a few days and then insert it into a pot filled with perlite. If the leaves turn yellow and fall off, the plant is getting too much sunlight. Our articles, blogs, tips, and photos help you use plants to beautify your living spaces and enhance your life. Plants grown indoors rarely bloom but are prized for their beautiful form and colorful foliage. By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. In the spring and fall, water moderately. The thick branches and stems have a zig-zag pattern and produce small, oval-shaped leaves with pointed tips. The scientific name for this plant, Pedilanthus tithymaloides, means foot-shaped flower. Decorate for Halloween by carving out a pumpkin and popping in a mum. The Devils backbone now calls the below Euphorbias “cousin”: No matter what scientific name used, it also goes by many different common names. Description. The devil's backbone plant or devil's spine plant (Euphorbia tithymaloides or Pedilanthus tithymaloides) earned its common name with the irregular, zig-zag lines of its stems, which resemble a … Keep it only moderately moist, yet not soggy. Water the plants when the top few inches of soil feel dry. When the plant is still maturing, its leaves may not grow in very thick. The plant blooms in the summer. Devil's backbone earned its common names because the interesting pattern the stems make as they grow.