Euphorbia mellifera
Honey spurge
From £17.95
This lovely evergreen shrub forms an attractive dome shape with whorls of deep-green, pale-centred oblong leaves and, in spring, rounded heads of deliciously honey-scented ‘flowers’ (botanically ‘cyathia’).
Plant Biography
Euphorbia mellifera is an evergreen shrub which, despite being fairly rare in its native  home of Madeira and the Canary Islands, is popular in cultivation in the UK. It forms an attractive dome shape with whorls of deep-green, pale-centred oblong leaves and, in spring, rounded heads of deliciously honey-scented brown ‘flowers’ (botanically ‘cyathia’).
This lovely scent is reflected in both the common name of Honey Spurge and the species name from the Latin ‘mellifer’ meaning ‘honey bearing.’
Care & Size Guidance
If grown in strong sun this plant will stay more bushy and compact, but in part shade it can be a looser taller plant and occasional hard pruning will renovate back to a fuller smaller plant. Euphorbias contain a milky-white sap in all parts which flows when cut. The sap can be a strong irritant to skin and eyes, and gloves should therefore be worn when pruning.
