Candelilla
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Euphorbia antisphyllitica
Candelilla is a low-growing shrub that has clusters of thin, upright, bluish-green, pencil-like stems that grow in clumps to about three feet. The small, pinkish-white flowers occur in clusters on mostly leafless stems in spring through early summer. The common name of this plant means “little candle” because the stems are covered with a waxy substance. It suits raised planters, narrow planting strips, and small rock gardens. It can be planted alongside other low-water plants and succulents as an accent. This plant is native to the Trans-Pecos area of southwestern Texas and the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico, growing in Durango, Chihuahua, and Coahuila.
It is a moderate grower that thrives in full sun with plenty of reflected heat. Once established, this succulent needs little water but benefits from occasional irrigation during the hot, dry summer. If the plant becomes scraggly, prune it heavily to the ground to hasten new growth.
A high-grade wax is produced by boiling the plant in large vats, a process seen on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. The wax has many uses, including making candles, soap, ointments, sealing wax, phonograph records, insulation material, shoe polish, floor polish, waterproofing, and lubricants.
Height: 1’-3’
Spread: 1’-3’
Bloom: Year Round
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low
Zone: 8, 9, 10
Origin: Texas, New Mexico, Mexico
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
