The Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii) hails from Madagascar, so it’s no surprise that this plant is a total sun-seeker. While we can’t always give it that tropical 80°F heat year-round here, we can certainly try to mimic its home environment. If your plant starts dropping leaves, it’s usually a “cry for help” regarding its location or care routine.
Finding the Perfect Spot
To keep your Crown of Thorns happy, think “bright and breezy.” A south-facing window is your best bet because this tropical beauty loves a spot that is:
- Bright
- Sunny
- Warm (ideally between 60°F and 85°F)
The good news? It actually handles dry indoor air from your heater quite well in the winter. During the summer, feel free to move your plant outside to soak up some rays, just be sure to acclimate it slowly so it doesn’t get sunburned. Just keep an eye on the thermometer—if it dips below 65°F, it’s time to bring it back in. For its winter nap, a protected indoor spot around 60°F is perfect.
Care Tips for a Thriving Plant
When it comes to soil, this plant prefers a sandy, slightly acidic mix with plenty of organic matter. During the growing season (May through October), give it a regular drink. You’ll want to let the soil dry out slightly between waterings.
From November to April, the plant enters a “dry dormancy” period. During this time, scale back the watering significantly. This rest period is crucial because it’s when the plant gathers the energy to push out those beautiful blooms in the spring. Just a heads-up: if it gets too warm during this resting phase, the plant might drop its leaves in protest.
Like most houseplants, the Crown of Thorns hates “wet feet.” Never let it sit in a saucer full of water, or you’ll risk root rot. During the active growing months, treat it to some liquid cactus fertilizer every two weeks.
What to Do if Leaves Start Falling
If your Crown of Thorns starts losing its leaves, it’s trying to tell you something isn’t right. Here are the usual suspects:
- Not enough light: It needs a brighter spot.
- Too chilly: It loves warmth in the summer (just try to keep it under 85-90°F).
- Thirst: If it’s bone dry, move it to a cooler spot and start a regular watering schedule again.
- Too warm in winter: During its dormant phase, it really doesn’t need temperatures above 60°F.
Don’t panic if you see some yellowing or leaf drop! If you catch it early and fix the issue, these plants are incredibly resilient. They’re pretty tough customers and will usually bounce back quickly once you get their environment dialed in.
