Cactus or Spiny Euphorbia? How to Tell the Difference, Plus a Succulent ID Quiz

[@QueenofSucculents]

Have a question on ANYTHING to do with succulents? Go to debraleebaldwin.com and browse the menu or use the Search bar. Btw, my site is not monetized---no annoying pop-up ads. It's my gift to my followers and the culmination of my career as a horticulturist/photojournalist specializing in succulents. You'll find 100+ pages of tips and ideas; thousands of photos and must-know facts for specific varieties; curated design ideas for gardens, landscapes and containers; interviews with experts; seasonal info; and much more. Use the site as a research tool that also is entertaining---the same goal as my KZbin channel. Q's welcome!

[@youngjoolee7752]

I have developed attractions towards cactus and aloes because of your videos~~. Many thanks to you!

[@patroach4072]

You explain things so well and your photos really support the information. That was so much fun and I got 100%. Great teaching!

[@QueenofSucculents]

High praise from a career teacher! Thanks, dear Pat!

[@shermansoberon559]

Thanks for this video, Debra. Now I know how to differentiate euphorbias and cacti.

[@QueenofSucculents]

That's great, Sherman! Thanks for commenting!

[@isabelcanoperez7200]

Thank you so much. I watch your videos over and over !!! Greetings from México!

[@QueenofSucculents]

Saludos querida Isabel!

[@bjalist]

This was so much fun! I will forever remember the differences. Thank You!

[@kadirkacir12]

Cactus. Ler. Harika güzel olmuş. Tedrık Ederım seni 🌻🌺🌼🍀🌸🌷🌹🌴🌴👍👍👍👍

[@janecurtis5726]

That was fun! Got 100%.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Applause!

[@asmitadeshpande1712]

The quiz was fun. I guessed them all. :)

[@QueenofSucculents]

Yay Asmita!

[@MiuMiuG]

Loved this! Thank you

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thank YOU.

[@Botruc]

Thanks for the game! It was fun and informative!

[@QueenofSucculents]

I'm so glad! Thank YOU.

[@livingonthedelta7068]

good to know thanks

[@purushottampathak9767]

Good collections

[@samueldcostawardenfromthed6855]

You are great 😊

[@alexandralacerda492]

Lived it👏👏👏

[@alisonhophing7833]

I actually got them all right, surprised myself

[@maricrispascua3839]

Thanks for the video, I got 2 mistakes and learned a lot.💕

[@zstrizzel]

Thanks for making this video -- telling apart cacti & euphorbia has been making me uncomfortable at nurseries for quite some time. With your tutorial, I actually manage to get 100% on the quiz! :)

[@QueenofSucculents]

How marvelous! This is exactly what I'd hoped for.

[@bexyrexy]

I will forever retain this information thanks to the areola analogy! But I’m going to associate the V of the euphorbia with something else. Thanks for educating me 😎

[@QueenofSucculents]

LOL. Raise your hand, open your fingers, and fold all but the index and middle.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Learn more on the corresponding page of my site: debraleebaldwin.com/cactus/euphorbia-or-cactus-how-to-tell/ and on my euphorbia page (which includes a labeled plant gallery): debraleebaldwin.com/succulent-euphorbias-uses-photos-ids-cautions/

[@CidYoung-REALTOR]

Your test went pretty fast, so l had to back up to get a better look at # 2. But in the end, I got an A+ 100%. Your video was a good way for beginners to observe the differences, so thank you, professor! Question: Many of my Euphorbias are starting to flower but my E. horrida has sprouted so many of those irksome weeds that l hate! I believe they are called Oxalis corniculata, a creeping type that seems to live cracks. I try to pull them with some long handled bonsai teeezers, but they just break off and the foot still left in the pot sends up more! Grrrr! I’m wondering if they possibly came along in my bagged “store-bought” cactus mix potting soil? I am sure that l will need to re-pot it, in order to get rid of them. Do you have any suggestions of “best brands” of succulent mix or worst brands of potting mix that has weed seeds in them? (I know some do, because l left a bag of cactus mix in my driveway once, in the sun, and before l had even opened the bag, green things were growing inside! That is infuriating! Maybe you can go some tests and make a time lapse video?

[@Nhoj31neirbo47]

Do we get a Gold Star for 100% ? A fun and informative video!

[@QueenofSucculents]

You do indeed! Thank you!

[@yogagirl949]

I can tell euphorbia from cacti. But I have the hardest time knowing when to water, or how to care for the euphorbia in my personal collection. They are a mystery succulent to me!

[@QueenofSucculents]

Hi TC -- It's much the same as other succulents: The fatter and fleshier the euphorbia, the less water it'll need because it stores moisture in its tissues. Shrub varieties will want more, but in general, err on the dry side.

[@yogagirl949]

@@QueenofSucculents thank you Debra Lee! Somehow o manage to keep them alive, but they don’t thrive. I have that lovely pink tipped variegated one - it hardly grows and I’ve never seen cute lil flowers on it. I also have a Medusa, but the ‘legs’ have gotten short and stubby. In the video yours are so long and plentiful. ... I wonder if they need fertilizer, and when it’s appropriate to feed. PS. Love your books and videos!

[@QueenofSucculents]

@@yogagirl949 Your comment made me smile. My medusa euphorbia is etiolated (not enough light resulting in long skinny stems trying to find it). It's been in my shade garden forever, so I guess it's OK, but ideally the stems would be "short and stubby" --- like yours!l

[@yogagirl949]

@@QueenofSucculents well that fixes it it! I’m putting Medusa in the shade from now on! 😂

[@CidYoung-REALTOR]

@toughcookie When it comes to watering and you’re in doubt, buy a moisture meter (a little probe to stick down into the soil to see if there’s still ample water beneath your top dressing). Or, keep them on the dry side, by only watering every few weeks (depending on where you live) so they won’t turn to mush! I never water my outdoor plants over the winter, because that is our rainy season in NorCal. I try to withhold watering outdoors from November to March usually, because it’s cooler those months, as well.

[@ZMB-on5ub]

I've been walking past what I THOUGHT was a cactus in my yard every day and it turns out it's an euphorbia. Thanks. Now my life is a lie.

[@QueenofSucculents]

😆Only think how empowered you are now.