Euphorbia obesa

Common Names

Baseball Plant, Sea Urchin Plant, Sea Urchin, Basketball Plant, Gingham, Golf Ball, Vetmensie, Baseball Euphorbia

Summary

Baseball plant is a slow-growing, semi-desert succulent native to the Karoo region of South Africa. It forms a globose, ball-shaped stem with eight ribs and grooved seams, often gray-green with pinkish-purple markings; leaves are rudimentary and shed quickly; in summer cyathia appear on the tops of the ridges bearing tiny greenish-yellow flowers, and a milky latex sap is produced when damaged; fruits are three-seeded capsules that explosively release seeds; it is dioecious, with separate male and female plants.

Cultivation favors a sunny position and very well-drained mineral soil; drought-tolerant and watered sparingly, allowing the substrate to dry between waterings; frost tolerance is limited, requiring protection in cold. Propagation is by seed or cuttings, and flowering occurs after several years. Widely cultivated as an ornamental focal point in containers or xeriscapes, it is endangered in its native habitat and protected by conservation laws; the milky sap is poisonous, so caution is advised, and issues such as mealybugs or scale can occur, with rot from overwatering a common risk.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

8-12 inches

Spread

3.5-4 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining mineral soil, sandy or gritty, often prepared as a cactus/succulent mix.

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soil.

Soil pH

6.0-7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

No foliage

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage color; leaves drop off.

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Very slow growth.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Grafting

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators