Description

Emei Peak is a succulent plant of the Euphorbiaceae family, genus Euphorbia, originally from southern Africa, a hybrid between the cycad Euphorbia and the jade phoenix. Its stem is short, thick, spiral‑shaped, reaching about 15 cm in height. The lower part is brownish‑green and the upper part deep green. After the leaves fall off, they leave a milky protrusion resembling a pineapple. It prefers warm, dry conditions, grows best at 10–30 °C, needs loose soil, moderate sunlight in spring and autumn, shade in summer, and follows the principle of seeing wetness before dryness. The growing season of the cliff queen is from April to October. Watering should follow “no dry, no water; water fully” and avoid standing water in the pot, otherwise the tuber may rot. Once a month, apply a thin liquid fertilizer or a “low‑nitrogen, high‑phosphorus‑potassium” compound fertilizer. When fertilizing, avoid splashing fertilizer water on the leaves to prevent leaf contamination. Generally, avoid frequent misting on the leaves to prevent water droplets from lingering in the leaf hairs, which could cause rot. In high summer temperatures the plant grows slowly, flowers rarely or not at all; it can be kept in a ventilated, cool area to protect it from stifling, humid conditions that could affect normal growth.

In winter, keep it indoors in a well‑lit area, with a minimum temperature of no lower than 10 °C and a reasonable day‑night temperature difference. Water and fertilize normally so the plant continues to grow and flower. If the temperature drops below 10 °C, the shoots at the top of the tuber will dry out and the plant enters dormancy; watering must be controlled to keep the soil dry and prevent tuber rot. As long as the soil does not freeze, it can overwinter safely. Every spring, repot once. When planting, do not bury the entire tuber; leave about half to a third exposed. The soil should be loose and fertile, rich in humus, with good drainage and aeration, and relatively coarse texture. A mix of half leaf compost or peat moss, half vermiculite or coarse sand, with a small amount of bone meal to increase calcium content, is suitable. Newly planted plants should avoid standing water in the pot to prevent tuber rot and to promote new root growth; normal management can resume once new shoots emerge from the tuber top.