What soil does Cypress spurge grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Is Cypress spurge hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Cypress spurge flower?

Flowering: April–June, yellow, green.

How much water does Cypress spurge need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Cypress spurge

Euphorbia cyparissias

Cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) is a ground cover plant. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Toxic to children.

Illustration of Cypress spurge — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A perennial whose fine blue-green, needle-like foliage makes it look like tiny conifer seedlings, covering a dry sunny bank or gravel patch in spring with lime-yellow flower heads that later turn orange and reddish. It survives in the poorest, driest soil, but in return it spreads fast by underground rhizomes and in light ground outgrows the space meant for it. Plant it where it may run, or hem it in with edging or paving; the milky sap is an irritant, so handle it with gloves.

Watch out for

It spreads strongly by rhizomes and by seed, and in light, sandy or rich, irrigated soil it smothers neighbouring perennials, so it does not belong in a mixed border. Keep it in check by planting it inside a root barrier sunk at least 30 cm deep or in a bottomless container, by confining it between paving and a wall, by pulling the shoots that appear beyond its limit in spring and by cutting it back after flowering so that it does not seed. It is hard to eradicate because it regrows from pieces of rhizome left in the soil. Rust can attack it: infected shoots grow lanky, stay yellowish and do not flower, and should be removed at the base.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 30 cm × 1 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–June, yellow, green

Group	Ground cover
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	30 cm × 1 m
Ultimate size	20–50 cm × 0.3–1.5 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–June, yellow, green
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	35 cm
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Toxic (uncertain)
For children	Toxic
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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