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Euphorbia bicolor

snow-on-the-prairie

Euphorbiaceae South-central United States

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Euphorbia bicolor is an upright summer annual reaching 24-60 inches (60-150 cm) tall and 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) wide, with erect stems that branch toward the top. The lower leaves are green and lance-shaped, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, while the upper leaves and bracts are edged in a broad white margin that gives the plant its snow-on-the-prairie name. The true flowers are tiny and clustered in cup-like structures called cyathia, each ringed by small white-and-green bracts, and they open from midsummer into fall. Broken stems and leaves release a milky white latex that irritates skin and eyes and is toxic if eaten. The seed is a three-lobed capsule that splits to scatter seed. It grows in prairies, fields, roadsides, and open disturbed ground in the south-central United States, mostly on clay and limestone soils. It can self-sow heavily and become weedy where conditions suit it.

Native Range

Euphorbia bicolor is native to the south-central United States, chiefly Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. It grows in prairies, fields, roadsides, and open disturbed ground, often on clay and limestone soils.

Suggested Uses

Used in prairie and meadow plantings, cottage borders, and cut-flower beds, where the white-margined bracts read from a distance. It suits hot, dry sites and poor soils where many annuals struggle. Sown or spaced about 18 inches (45 cm) apart.

How to Identify

The tall, narrow habit with upper leaves and bracts edged in broad white margins separates Euphorbia bicolor from the shorter, wider snow-on-the-mountain (Euphorbia marginata). Tiny flowers sit in cup-shaped cyathia ringed by white-and-green bracts. Broken stems exude milky white latex. The seed capsule is three-lobed.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 5'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

white

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Summer Fall

The white-bracted flower clusters appear from midsummer into fall, roughly July through October. The bracts hold their color for many weeks and carry the display longer than the small true flowers. Bloom continues until frost ends the season.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green with white margins

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun in well-drained soil, including dry clay, limestone, and sandy ground. This annual tolerates heat and drought and needs little water once it is growing. Rich, moist soil produces tall, floppy stems that may need support. Sow seed in spring after the last frost, or allow established stands to self-sow. The milky latex irritates skin and eyes, and cut stems release sap readily. Plants set seed freely and can spread into nearby beds.

Pruning

No routine pruning is needed for this annual. Cutting stems for arrangements releases the milky latex, which can irritate skin and eyes. Spent plants can be pulled after they set seed to limit self-sowing.