Euphorbia tulearensis

Adapted to a seasonal tropical climate with warm, wet summers and long, dry winters, this species wakes up in the spring and pushes new foliage throughout the warm months. In a coastal Zone 10b environment, it performs beautifully outdoors beneath the protective diffusion of shade cloth and a polycarbonate roof, which shields its delicate leaves from scorching while strictly blocking out cold winter rains. Because it is notoriously sensitive to rot if kept damp while cool, it demands an uncompromisingly fast-draining, highly inorganic substrate—such as a gritty blend of volcanic pumice, calcined clay, and coarse decomposed granite. Housed in a breathable raw cement pot, it appreciates deep, thorough waterings during the peak heat of summer, provided the mix dries out rapidly between soakings. As temperatures drop in autumn, water must be withheld entirely, enforcing a strict, bone-dry dormancy throughout the winter months.