Dwarf Devil's Backbone is the compact version of the native woody evergreen succulent subsrub with zigzag stems resembling a spine and medium green leaves. Stems with clusters of showy two-lipped red bracts cover small scarlet flowers at the ends bloom from late spring into summer and are followed by fruit capsules. Best shape with afternoon shade and well-drained soils. Good drought tolerance. Broken stems have a mildly poisonous white sap when damaged. Rarely flowers indoors.
| Type: | |
| Height: | 0.5' - 1' | 
| Spread: | - 0.5’ | 
| Spacing: | 0.5’ | 
| USDA Hardiness Zone: | 9 - 11 | 
| Culture: | |
| Bloom Color: | Red | 
| Season of Interest: | 
MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance. Wet soils, especially in winter, will kill the plant. Watch for mealybugs and spidermites.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Naturalized Areas, Rock Gardens, and Containers.
COMPANION PLANTS: Allium, Hakone Grass, Sedum
IMAGES: Aris riyanto, Arya-euphorbia tithymaloides smallii nana - kukusan Barat 2019 2, CC BY-SA 4.0, (2) Mokkie, Small's Redbird Flower (Euphorbia tithymaloides ssp. smallii 'Nana Compacta') 4, CC BY-SA 4.0, (3) Aris riyanto, Arya-euphorbia tithymaloides smallii nana - kukusan Barat 2019 1, CC BY-SA 4.0
*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
