Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Candelilla
Candelilla forms a clump of thin, upright gray-green stems coated in wax, which is where the name "little candle" comes from. It stays low, about 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, and has no spines. It thrives in full sun and reflected heat on very little water. Tiny pink and white flowers dot the stems in spring.
Best for: hot, reflected-heat spots, narrow strips and raised planters, rows in a modern yard, and pots.
It thrives in full sun and reflected heat off walls and pavement. That makes it a fit for west-facing beds and hot strips by the driveway.
Its closely packed, upright stems add fine texture. Planted in straight or staggered rows, it suits a clean, modern yard.
It stays low and compact, so it works in raised planters, narrow planting strips, small rock gardens and pots.
Soil that stays wet can rot it, so plant it where water drains. Its milky sap can irritate skin, so wear gloves when you handle it.
- Group or mass planting3 ft apart
- Open planting4 ft apart
Water to get it rooted, then let the soil dry out. Once rooted, about monthly is enough, with an occasional summer soak to help it bloom.
Plant it in full sun. It handles reflected heat off walls and pavement well.
Cut or broken stems bleed milky sap that can irritate skin. Wear gloves when you plant or trim it, and keep the sap away from your eyes.
It grows in most soils as long as they drain well. Avoid spots where water puddles.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does candelilla get?
It usually grows about 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Older clumps can reach about 3 feet tall.
Can it take reflected heat?
Yes. It thrives in full sun and reflected heat, so it handles hot walls and pavement.
How much water does it need?
Very little once rooted, about once a month. An occasional deep soak in the hot, dry summer helps it bloom.
How cold can candelilla take?
It handles Valley cold easily and is rated to about 10°F. No frost cover is needed in the Valley.
Does it have spines?
No. Candelilla is spineless, with smooth, waxy stems.
Why is it called candelilla?
The name means little candle. Its stems are coated in wax, and the plant has long been harvested for that wax.
Does it flower?
Yes. Tiny pink and white flowers appear along the stems in spring and can continue into summer.
Is the sap harmful?
The milky sap can irritate skin, so wear gloves when you plant or divide it. Keep it away from your eyes and mouth. Its pollen can also bother people with allergies.
Is it toxic to dogs and cats?
Yes. Euphorbia sap is toxic if eaten and irritates the mouth and stomach. Keep pets from chewing it.
Can I grow it in a pot?
Yes. It makes a good potted plant. Use a fast-draining mix and a pot with a drainage hole.
Can I plant candelilla near a pool?
Yes. It drops very little litter and has no spines, so it fits near a pool or patio. Keep the sap away from eyes.
Candelilla for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Candelilla is a low, spineless euphorbia from the Chihuahuan Desert with waxy, pencil-thin stems. Below is what to expect on size, sun, water, cold, flowers and the sap in a Valley yard.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Candelilla in Phoenix
Candelilla thrives in full sun and reflected heat on very little water. It stays low and needs no frost cover in the Valley.
How big does candelilla get?
It usually grows 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, with older clumps reaching about 3 feet.
Watering candelilla
Once rooted, about monthly is enough. An occasional summer soak helps it bloom.
Is candelilla spineless?
Yes. It has smooth, waxy stems with no spines, which suits walkways and narrow strips.
Candelilla wax plant
The name means little candle, from the wax that coats its stems. The wax has long been harvested from wild plants.
Is candelilla toxic?
Its milky sap can irritate skin and is toxic if eaten. Wear gloves and keep pets from chewing it.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.