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Baja Spurge

Euphorbia xanti

true

1 gallon

Baja Spurge

In stock

3-6'x3-6'

Sizes:

Baja Spurge - Euphorbia xanti
Also known as: Baja Pencil Cholla

This fast-growing, tall, bamboo-like shrub is native to sea bluffs, dunes, rocky washes, and slopes in central to southern Baja California and coastal Sonora. Its slender, green pencil-like stems often lead to it being mistaken for a milkweed. It spreads vigorously through rhizomes and self-seeding, forming large, dense stands in the wild and garden settings.

Baja Spurge produces small, fragrant white to pink flowers that bloom primarily after the winter rains, attracting a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. The stems are somewhat sensitive to frost, with damage occurring around 20°F, though the roots are more cold-hardy.

While most resources recommend planting Baja Spurge in full sun, I have one growing in almost full shade in my own garden, and it is thriving—showing some adaptability to shadier spots.

This species thrives in well-drained soils and is an excellent choice for naturalistic desert landscapes, coastal gardens, and erosion control.

Wildlife Value
Baja Spurge provides important nectar resources for a range of generalist pollinators including native bees and butterflies. Its flowers are especially attractive to hummingbirds, including Anna’s and Costa’s hummingbirds, which favor native desert plants. The dense thickets formed by its rhizomatous growth offer shelter and cover for small wildlife.

Host Plant: Not known as a specialized host for butterfly or moth larvae.

Nectar Source: Anna’s (C. anna), Costa’s (C. costae); native bees/butterflies (general)

Bird Resources: Shelter and cover for small birds and mammals

Bird Species: Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna), Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae)

Bees: Attracts native generalist bees

Plant Care

Native region:

Sonoran Desert

Water needs:

Low- Moderate

Exposure:

Full Sun; Shade

Mature size:

3-6'x3-6'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

pink

Flower season:

Winter - Spring

Pruning:

Remove frost damaged stems. To control growth keep dry around perimeter

Cold Hardiness:

25 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.