The variegated melon spurge, or euphorbia meloformis variegata, is a striking succulent that is as gorgeous as it is easy to care for. Its striking stripes and small melon-ball clusters make it a great choice for lazy gardeners who want something fresh in their gardens. In this guide, we’re going to go over the background of this plant, as well as why we love it for lazy gardeners, and some basic low-effort care tips.

Background

Euphorbia meloformis is a globular succulent found in Africa, whose variegated form has been cultivated in greenhouses. What was once a deep, solid green has turned into a brightly striped plant, with light pink thorns. And Meloformis literally means “melon-shaped”! They cluster and offset a bunch, and sometimes have a gentle twisting form to the bodies. 

• Botanical Name: Euphorbia meloformis f. variegata

• Common Names: Variegated Melon Spurge

• Growth Habit: Clustering

• Blooms: small pink or yellow flowers

Notably, a single plant is either male or female, so cross-pollination with both male and female plants is needed to produce seeds.  

Why We Love the Meloformis

• It is a very resilient plant! Great for lazy gardeners with busy lifestyles who don’t have as much time to take care of their plants.

• Unique striped pattern - means that no two will look the same.

• Stays relatively small - main stems only grow to about 6” in diameter, so it’s great for smaller spaces

How to Care for Euphorbia melofirmis variegata

Now, let’s get into the basics of caring for this plant.

Lighting & Placement

Euphorbia meloformis thrives in bright light, with shade from intense, direct sunlight later in the day. When choosing a spot in your garden or patio, remember the phrase: “bright light and in sight,” to ensure your plant gets the sunshine it needs and is checked on from time to time. If your indoor space doesn’t get a lot of light, we strongly recommend using grow lights. 

Soil & Repotting

Euphorbia prefer well-draining soil mixes so that they don’t sit in moisture for too long. Having a mixture that is at least 30% inorganic material, like perlite or pumice, works great to improve aeration and protect roots from rotting. When repotting, use gloves to avoid any of the irritating sap getting on your skin.

To repot your melon spurge:

1. Grab a pot with drainage and fill the bottom with well-draining soil.

2. Remove the plant from its current pot and loosen the old soil around the roots. 

   

3. Center the plant in its new container, then fill in the sides with soil, pressing down firmly to secure the plant.

4. Add top dressings to add stability and complete your arrangement.

5. Give your plant a few rest days before watering.

How & When to Water

Euphorbia meloformis can go quite a while between waterings, making it a great option for lazy gardeners who don’t have a lot of time for constant waterings. When the soil is completely dry, fully saturate the soil, making sure that excess water drains out of the bottom of the pot.

Dormancy and Watering

This plant goes dormant in the Winter, meaning it’s taking a period of rest. During this time, cut watering back significantly if you water at all.

General Health

A healthy meloformis should have a firm body that is round and compact, and may exhibit a deep pink color with stress. Corking, which is when the skin develops a rough wood-like texture, can happen on older growth and is normal.

In general, euphorbia are resilient plants when it comes to disease, but the variegated melon spurge can be slightly more delicate than its standard form. They are more susceptible to issues related to humidity and poor air circulation, so make sure that you use a well-draining mix to avoid letting the plants sit in moisture for a long period of time. The lighter parts of the body can also be susceptible to burning, so it helps to provide some shade during the hottest parts of the day.

Pests

Euhporbia meloformis are prone to mealybugs that like to hide in between the ribs, and spider mites, which can cause discoloration and weaken the plant. We suggest 70% isopropyl alcohol to treat pests, and regularly inspecting your plants to make sure there aren’t any stragglers.

Temperature & Humidity 

Euphorbia in general prefer heat and are not frost-tolerant plants. Ideal conditions for growth are between 50-90°F, so if your Winter daytime temperatures are dropping below 40°F, then it’s best to bring them inside or cover them with frost blankets.

They prefer low-humidity environments with good air circulation.

How to Propagate

You can propagate meloformis by seeds or by stem cuttings. Wear gloves to protect yourself from the sap!

To propagate by stem cuttings, take a clean, sharp tool and cut off a healthy pup that is offsetting from the base of the main plant. Give it a few days to form a callus, or scab, and then plant it into very well-draining soil. Wait about a week before giving it a light watering, and then slowly increase the amount and frequency of waterings over the course of several months.

Is the Meloformis Toxic?

The meloformis, like all euphorbia, has a latex-like sap on the inside of its body that acts as a self-defence mechanism. This can be irritating to the skin and eyes and should not be ingested, so please be careful with these plants around curious pets or small children.

Do Euphorbia Meloformis Bloom?

Euphorbia have what are called “cyathia” instead of typical flowers. The variegated melon spurge blooms small, yellow to dark pink cyathia that appear in the spring and summer months. 

Outro

The variegated melon spurge is a resilient, low-maintenance succulent that’s perfect for lazy gardeners looking for something unique. Its striped, melon-shaped bodies stay compact, cluster beautifully over time, and no two plants look exactly alike. Give it bright light, well-draining soil, and infrequent watering, and it’ll thrive with very little effort.