Looking to add bold color, easy care, and a touch of intrigue to your succulent collection? Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii) is the perfect pick! This resilient succulent shrub is famous for its tough, spiny stems, bright green leaves, and clusters of cheerful flowers in shades of red, pink, yellow, and white. Native to Madagascar, these sun-loving plants are excellent for containers, rock gardens, and dry landscapes. Let’s discover 10 stunning Crown of Thorns varieties to brighten your succulent garden.
1. Euphorbia milii ‘Splendens’
One of the classic and most beloved varieties, Euphorbia milii ‘Splendens’ boasts large, vibrant red flowers and dense green foliage. Its thorny stems create a striking contrast to the soft, bright blooms that appear almost year-round in warm climates. ‘Splendens’ thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for drought-tolerant landscapes or sunny patios. This variety grows up to 3-5 feet tall, and its long blooming season adds continuous color to any succulent or xeriscape garden.
2. Euphorbia milii ‘Pink Charm’
‘Pink Charm’ is adored for its soft, romantic pink flowers that bloom in generous clusters atop its spiny branches. This variety maintains a compact, bushy form, making it ideal for containers, borders, or small garden beds. Like other Crown of Thorns, it loves bright light and well-drained soil and tolerates dry conditions well. ‘Pink Charm’ pairs beautifully with blue-green succulents or trailing plants, adding a sweet splash of color to your garden or balcony.
3. Euphorbia milii ‘Golden Lucky’
For a cheerful pop of sunshine, ‘Golden Lucky’ delivers with its bright, butter-yellow blooms. This variety adds a warm, sunny glow to any succulent garden, whether planted in pots or as part of a mixed rockery. Its compact size and drought tolerance make it an excellent choice for beginner gardeners. ‘Golden Lucky’ thrives in full sun and benefits from occasional watering during dry spells. Its bright color makes it a favorite for adding vibrance to desert-style gardens.
4. Euphorbia milii ‘Dwarf Apache’
Compact and vibrant, ‘Dwarf Apache’ produces abundant small, bright red flowers against lush, green leaves and thorny stems. Growing just 1-2 feet tall, this dwarf variety is perfect for small pots, window boxes, or sunny indoor spots. It flowers profusely in bright light, often blooming throughout the year with minimal care. ‘Dwarf Apache’ is an ideal choice for those who want color and texture in tight spaces or as part of a mixed succulent arrangement.
5. Euphorbia milii ‘Thai Giant’
‘Thai Giant’ lives up to its name with larger-than-usual flowers in rich shades of red, pink, and coral. This hybrid is highly valued for both its dramatic floral display and its ability to bloom nearly continuously in warm, sunny climates. It grows taller than most varieties, reaching up to 5 feet, making it a striking statement plant in succulent or tropical gardens. ‘Thai Giant’ is also surprisingly easy to care for, tolerating heat, drought, and poor soil with ease.
6. Euphorbia milii ‘White Lightning’
For a crisp, clean touch in your garden, ‘White Lightning’ offers pure white flowers that brighten up any succulent collection. Its contrasting dark green leaves and sharp spines provide striking texture. This plant performs best in full sun to partial shade and blooms on and off year-round. ‘White Lightning’ pairs beautifully with darker foliage succulents or colorful flowering cacti, creating a refreshing, balanced display in both pots and landscape settings.
7. Euphorbia milii ‘Firecracker’
‘Firecracker’ is known for its vivid coral-red flowers that burst against a backdrop of glossy green leaves. This lively plant has a more sprawling, relaxed growth habit, making it ideal for hanging baskets, borders, or rock gardens where it can spread gracefully. It enjoys full sun and dry, sandy soil, thriving in arid or coastal conditions. ‘Firecracker’ provides a continuous splash of color and texture, especially when combined with spiky agaves or trailing succulents.
8. Euphorbia milii ‘Coccinea’
‘Coccinea’ is a traditional, striking Crown of Thorns variety known for its intense scarlet-red flowers and tall, upright form. It grows up to 4-5 feet tall, making it a dramatic focal point in both succulent gardens and patio containers. ‘Coccinea’ blooms profusely in bright, sunny conditions and requires little maintenance beyond occasional watering. Its bold color and classic shape make it a must-have for anyone looking to add vibrant, long-lasting flowers to a drought-tolerant garden.
9. Euphorbia milii ‘Sunshine Yellow’
As cheerful as its name suggests, ‘Sunshine Yellow’ brightens up garden beds and containers with sunny, lemon-yellow flowers. This variety blooms generously throughout the year in warm, sunny spots and is highly drought-tolerant once established. Its thorny stems and contrasting green foliage make it a natural partner for other hardy succulents like echeverias or aloes. ‘Sunshine Yellow’ adds a lively, playful touch to both desert-style landscapes and container arrangements.
10. Euphorbia milii ‘Salmon Beauty’
‘Salmon Beauty’ boasts soft, salmon-pink flowers that give a gentle, elegant touch to any succulent garden. This medium-sized variety grows up to 3 feet tall and produces clusters of delicate blooms against its classic spiny branches. Thriving in hot, dry conditions, ‘Salmon Beauty’ blooms reliably when given plenty of sunlight. It’s a lovely complement to silver-leaved succulents or blue-toned agaves, creating a balanced, harmonious planting combination for patios or dry landscapes.
Conclusion
Crown of Thorns plants are prized not only for their resilience and easy care but also for their long-lasting, vibrant blooms. From the fiery reds of ‘Splendens’ to the calming whites of ‘White Lightning’ and cheerful yellows of ‘Golden Lucky,’ there’s a variety to suit every garden style. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor succulent gardens, these colorful, spiny beauties are a low-maintenance way to enjoy bold color and fascinating textures all year long.
