Marsh spurge (Euphorbia palustris)

Marsh spurge (Euphorbia palustris) is a bog plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Marsh spurge (Euphorbia palustris).

This plant is commonly known as marsh spurge.

This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: marsh spurge
Scientific name: Euphorbia palustris
Plant type: Bogs, Perennials
Habit: Bushy
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Clay, Loam
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Informal Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit

Seasonal colors

How to plant Marsh spurge (Euphorbia palustris) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Whether small or large, formal or informal, every garden has space for an aquatic element. The sound and reflective qualities of water have long been used to add interest to gardens.

A pond, fountain or even a smaller water container greatly increases the variety of plants you can grow. In addition, they also encourage a wide variety of wildlife, including insects, frogs, toads and birds.

Together with plants, these elements offer a diversity of interests.

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How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Marsh spurge (Euphorbia palustris), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Marsh spurge (Euphorbia palustris) is a plant that prefers to grow in clay or loam.

• Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).

• The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.

It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Euphorbia palustris likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.

Sunlight

Marsh spurge (Euphorbia palustris) should be grown in full sun places.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Marsh spurge (Euphorbia palustris) – Ryan Hodnett, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons