As a proud ascot rainbow spurge owner, nothing is more heartbreaking than seeing your beautiful plant start to deteriorate. If you’ve noticed your ascot rainbow spurge declining, don’t give up hope yet! By identifying the potential causes, you can troubleshoot the issues and get your plant thriving again.
In this article, I’ll go over the most common reasons for ascot rainbow spurge death and give tips to revive your ailing plant.
Overwatering
Overwatering is one of the most common killers of houseplants, including ascot rainbow spurge. These plants prefer drier soil and can easily succumb to root rot if overwatered.
How to identify: Drooping leaves, yellow foliage, mushy stems, foul odor, presence of mushrooms/fungus.
How to fix Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings Remove plant from soggy soil, trim off rotten roots, and repot in fast-draining mix.
Underwatering
While ascot rainbow spurge doesn’t like wet feet, allowing the soil to totally dry out can also damage or kill the plant
How to identify: Wilting, drooping, faded foliage, dry and shriveled stems/leaves.
How to fix: Water plant thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Maintain consistent watering going forward.
Insufficient Light
Ascot rainbow spurge thrives in full sun to partial sun conditions. Too little light leads to weak growth and color loss.
How to identify Stretched out leggy growth, lighter green leaves lackluster color.
How to fix: Place plant in bright southern or western window or supplement with grow lights. Rotating occasionally prevents uneven growth.
Low Humidity
This plant prefers average household humidity levels of 40-60%. In very dry air, its foliage can dry out.
How to identify: Brown leaf tips/edges, shriveled leaves, dry soil.
How to fix: Mist plant regularly, use a pebble tray, or run a humidifier nearby. Group plants together to raise local humidity.
Poor Soil Quality
Ascot rainbow spurge grows best in well-draining potting mix. Dense, nutrient-deficient soil inhibits root function.
How to identify: Yellow lower leaves, stunted growth, wilting, poor flowering/fruiting.
How to fix: Repot in a commercial cactus/citrus potting mix. Can amend regular potting mix with perlite.
Pest Infestations
Common houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects can weaken and kill ascot rainbow spurge.
How to identify: Check for webs, sticky residue, bumps on the plant. Damage includes speckling, wilting, leaf loss.
How to fix: Isolate and thoroughly treat infested plants with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or other organic pesticide. Trim off heavily damaged tissue.
Fungal & Bacterial Diseases
Fungal issues like root rot, powdery mildew, and botrytis are common. Bacteria can also cause leaf spot/blight.
How to identify: Look for powdery white/gray fungus, blackened roots, spots, yellowing leaves.
How to fix: Improve air circulation. Remove affected parts. Use antifungal/antibacterial products and practice good sanitation.
Improper Fertilization
Too much or too little fertilizer can negatively impact ascot rainbow spurge health.
How to identify: With underfertilization, slow growth, yellow lower leaves. With overfertilization, leaf tip burn, nutrient deficiencies.
How to fix: Flush soil to remove excess salts, then resume balanced fertilizing based on label directions.
Incorrect Temperature
Ascot rainbow spurge prefers warm temperatures between 65-80°F. Cold drafts or high heat stress the plant.
How to identify: Wilting, leaf drop, slowed growth in cold. Leaf scorching, drought symptoms in heat.
How to fix: Move plant to suitable room temperature. Keep away from AC vents, heaters, and drafts.
Root Damage
Accidental root damage during repotting or transplanting can cause permanent injury.
How to identify: Wilting, leaf droop, dead branches, lack of growth, plant collapse.
How to fix: Unfortunately root damage cannot be undone. But you can try to nurse the plant back to health by providing optimal conditions. Avoid further root stress.
Environmental Changes
Sudden changes in lighting, temperatures, location, or other factors may shock the plant.
How to identify: Unexplained leaf drop, failure to thrive.
How to fix: Maintain stable conditions for your plant. Make any changes gradually over time.
Age
Like all living things, ascot rainbow spurge plants do eventually reach the end of their natural lifespan. This is rare with proper care.
How to identify: Overall plant decline not attributable to other causes.
How to fix: Unfortunately age-related decline cannot be reversed. The best option is propagating new plants from the original.
By systematically examining your plant and growing conditions, you should be able to diagnose what is ailing your ascot rainbow spurge. Address any issues promptly to restore health before the damage becomes irreparable. With quick action, most stressed plants can make a full recovery!
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Fri, 7 AM – 5 PM CST
Sat-Sun, 8 AM – 5 PM CST
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- Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
- Height 20 Inches
- Width 20 Inches
- Growing Zones 5-9
Looking for something different but you can’t put your finger on it? Never fear Ascot Rainbow Spurge is here. Also known as Euphorbia martinii, this is a low growing evergreen subshrub (20 inches in height) that looks stunning in masses. This plant has an upright bushy habit with creamy green and white variegated leaves. The top of each growing tip has a tinge of magenta pink that gives off a tropical vibe. The flowers are unique and diverse saucers that are multi-colored pink, green, and white. These flowers bloom from Spring to Summer.
Euphorbia is known to be tough in more ways than one. Steer clear of its milky sap which can cause dermatitis. Deer and rabbits don’t have an appetite for their toxic defenses. Euphorbia is heat, drought, and salt tolerant. Mixed borders close to driveways where salt runoff can be an issue is not a problem for this plant. It makes an excellent filler in containers and makes a surprising focal point in the landscape especially on a sloping hillside.
Ascot Rainbow Spurge Care
Don’t worry about babysitting this beauty, because it can literally take care of itself. Just give it part to full sun conditions. Make sure that the soil is well-draining. It will thrive with average to less than average watering needs. Apply fertilizer or compost annually to help invigorate new shoots and blooms. Diseases and pest issues are not a problem either.
Euphorbia is a hardy perennial that thrives in zones 5 to 9. Since this plant is evergreen the leaves can withstand the cold winter. Just trim back the flower shoots in the late Summer or early Fall and come Spring this plant will be as good as new.
Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ (Spurge) // Very USEFUL perennial with UNIQUE foliage and flowers
What is a ‘Ascot Rainbow’ spurge?
Never fear ‘Ascot Rainbow’ Spurge is here. Also known as Euphorbia martinii, this is a low growing evergreen subshrub (20 inches in height) that looks stunning in masses. This plant has an upright bushy habit with creamy green and white variegated leaves. The top of each growing tip has a tinge of magenta pink that gives off a tropical vibe.
Are Spurges ‘Ascot Rainbow’ poisonous?
Note that all parts of the plant are toxic. This dwarf hybrid grows well in containers and stands out in mixed borders. Spurges ‘Ascot Rainbow’ needs regular watering about once a week, especially during growing seasons.
Are Spurges poisonous?
Spurges ‘Ascot Rainbow’ ‘Ascot Rainbow’ is a standout hybrid notable for its multicolored green, yellow, and red flowers and leaves. This showy plant is easy to care for and has excellent tolerance to disease, drought, and hot weather. Note that all parts of the plant are toxic.
Can Ascot Rainbow spurge grow in shade?
The Ascot Rainbow Spurge prefers to grow under the full sun, particularly when grown in the cooler USDA zones. For the warmer zones, it grows optimally in partial shade. However, be sure to protect the plant from the harsh rays of the afternoon sun. Moreover, this plant grows well in USDA hardiness zone 5 to 9.