Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Moroccan Mound
Moroccan Mound is a slow-growing euphorbia that forms a dense, blue-green cushion of four-sided stems, so tightly packed they look like one solid mound. Short paired spines line the angles, and small yellow flowers top the stems in late winter and spring. It stays 1 to 2 feet tall and spreads 4 to 6 feet on low water.
Best for: rock gardens, banks and slopes, small gardens, beds and patio containers in full sun or part shade.
It forms a dense mound 1 to 2 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. That shape suits rock gardens, banks and slopes.
It grows slowly and suits patio containers and small gardens. Use fast-draining soil and a pot with a drain hole.
Small yellow flowers top the blue-green stems from late winter into spring and summer.
Soggy soil rots the roots. Short paired spines and irritating sap make it a poor fit right beside paths and play areas.
- Group planting4 ft apart
- Open planting6 ft apart
Water deeply, then let the soil dry out before the next watering. Water when the top inch of soil is dry in the warm months, and cut back in winter. Soggy soil rots the roots.
Full sun keeps it compact. It also takes part shade, and afternoon shade suits it in desert gardens.
It is hardy to about 20°F for short periods, more cold hardy than most euphorbias. Cover young plants on hard freeze nights.
Every cut or broken stem bleeds milky sap that irritates skin and eyes. Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection when you plant or trim it. Keep the sap away from your face, eyes and mouth.
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 Moroccan mound get?
It stays 1 to 2 feet tall and slowly spreads 4 to 6 feet wide. Leave it room to widen over the years.
How far apart should I plant it?
Plant them about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for you.
How cold can it take?
It is hardy to about 20°F for short periods. Cover young plants on hard freeze nights.
How often should I water it?
Water when the top inch of soil is dry in the warm months, and less in winter. Soggy soil rots the roots.
Does it need full sun?
Full sun keeps it compact, and it also takes part shade. In the Valley, a spot with some afternoon shade suits it.
When does it bloom?
Small yellow flowers top the stems from late winter into spring and summer. They add color without any extra care.
Is the sap dangerous?
Yes, handle it with care. The milky sap from a cut or broken stem irritates skin and eyes and is toxic if eaten. Wear gloves and eye protection, and wash sap off skin with water.
Is it toxic to pets?
Yes. Euphorbias are toxic to dogs and cats if chewed. The sap irritates the mouth and stomach and can cause vomiting. Plant it where pets cannot chew it.
Moroccan Mound for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Moroccan Mound is Euphorbia resinifera, a slow-growing, mounding succulent from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. It is one of the more cold hardy euphorbias. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard, from size and spacing to sun, water, flowers and handling.
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.
What is Moroccan mound?
It is Euphorbia resinifera, a slow, mounding succulent from Morocco. Its blue-green stems are four-sided and packed tightly together.
How big does Euphorbia resinifera get?
Plan for 1 to 2 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. It grows slowly, so it takes years to reach full size.
How far apart do you plant Moroccan mound?
Plant them about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for you.
Is Moroccan mound cold hardy?
It is hardy to about 20°F for short periods, which is colder than most euphorbias can take. Cover young plants on hard freeze nights.
How often do you water Moroccan mound in Phoenix?
Water it when the top inch of soil is dry in the warm months, and less in winter. Soggy soil rots the roots.
Is Euphorbia resinifera toxic?
Yes. The milky sap irritates skin and eyes and blisters the mouth if eaten. Wear gloves and keep it from pets.
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.