Euphorbia echinus

🌿 Moroccan Mound (Euphorbia echinus) is a remarkable succulent from the Euphorbiaceae family, native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco where it thrives in rocky, arid terrain. This spherical, spiny beauty belongs to a diverse genus of over 2,000 species but stands out with its unique architectural form. It's a beginner-friendly plant that requires minimal attention once you understand its simple needs. Here's something interesting: despite its cactus-like appearance, Euphorbia echinus is not a true cactus at all—it evolved spines independently as an adaptation to its harsh mountain environment.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This plant grows in a compact, dome-shaped mound that naturally spreads rather than grows tall. Its thick, ribbed stems are covered in dense, golden-yellow spines that radiate from small tubercles along each ridge. The green body of the plant has a slightly bluish cast when grown in bright light, giving it a subtle, cool undertone. The texture is firm and smooth beneath the spines, and the overall effect is architectural and geometric.
FLOWER DETAILS
Small, yellow-green flowers called cyathia appear at the crown of the plant during late spring and early summer. They're tiny and clustered, with a subtle appearance that doesn't overpower the structural beauty of the plant itself. The flowers have no noticeable fragrance but add a delicate touch to the spiny silhouette. Flowering happens annually when the plant receives adequate light and a proper winter rest period with reduced watering. To encourage blooms, give it a cooler, drier dormancy period from late fall through winter, then gradually increase water as temperatures warm in spring.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Full sun to bright indirect light. Needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best colour and form
💧 Water: Water thoroughly in spring and summer when soil is completely dry, roughly every 2-3 weeks. Reduce to once monthly or less in fall and winter. Water at the soil line, avoiding the crown
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers low humidity, 20-40% is ideal. Tolerates typical dry indoor air very well
🪴 Soil: Fast-draining cactus or succulent mix with added perlite or coarse sand for extra drainage
🏺 Potting: Terracotta or unglazed clay pot with drainage holes, shallow and wide rather than deep. Repot every 3-4 years in spring
🌱 Growth rate: Slow. Grows 1-2 inches per year, reaching 6-8 inches tall and 8-12 inches wide at maturity over several years
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed once in spring with diluted cactus fertilizer at half strength. No fertilizing needed in fall or winter
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Toxic to cats and dogs. The milky sap (latex) is irritating to skin and mucous membranes and can cause vomiting, drooling, and discomfort if ingested
WHERE TO PUT IT
Place your Moroccan Mound on a south or west-facing windowsill where it can soak up plenty of direct sun. It thrives in home offices, living rooms with bright windows, or sunrooms. It also works beautifully on a covered outdoor patio during warm months. Avoid placing it in low-light areas like bathrooms, interior hallways, or north-facing rooms, as it will stretch and lose its compact form. Keep it away from high-traffic areas where pets or children might brush against the spines.