Garden spurge, Asthma-plant, Hairy spurge, Pill-bearing spurge
Euphorbia hirta
Euphorbia hirta, also known as garden spurge or asthma-plant, is an annual herb. It typically grows upright or prostrate, branching from the base. The stems are reddish-purple or reddish-brown, covered with fine hairs. Leaves are opposite, ovate to oblong-lanceolate, often purplish or reddish, and serrated at the margins. Small, greenish-yellow flowers are clustered densely in axillary cymes or terminal heads, often appearing insignificant. The plant is known for its milky white latex when stems or leaves are broken.
Learn more about Garden spurge, Asthma-plant, Hairy spurge, Pill-bearing spurge in the encyclopedia →Care instructions
Euphorbia hirta is considered a common weed, thriving in disturbed soils, roadsides, gardens, and waste areas. It is highly adaptable and requires minimal care. It prefers full sun to partial shade and can grow in various soil types, though it prefers well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and generally does not require fertilization. Given its weed status, care often involves managing its growth rather than cultivating it.