Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Tall Slipper Plant
Tall Slipper Plant is the bigger cousin of lady slipper, with thick, upright blue-green stems that form a clump 4 to 8 feet tall. Oval leaves sit near the stem tips, and red-orange slipper-shaped bracts appear from late spring through fall, drawing hummingbirds. It grows in full sun to shade, in the ground or in a container.
Best for: narrow borders, rock or succulent gardens, large containers and shady spots where a tall, tropical look is wanted.
Its thick, upright stems form a clump 4 to 8 feet tall and a few feet wide. That gives a narrow border a strong vertical line.
It grows in full sun to full shade and prefers partial shade in Phoenix. In shade it grows more leaves, in sun more flowers.
Red-orange, slipper-shaped bracts appear from late spring through fall, and hummingbirds pollinate the flowers.
Hard freezes below about 20 to 28°F damage it, and very deep shade makes it lose its upright form. The milky sap irritates skin and eyes.
- Border row4 ft apart
- Open planting6 ft apart
Water deeply, then let the soil dry out before the next watering. In Phoenix it looks best with regular water in summer, and it needs only a little water in winter. Soggy soil rots the roots.
It grows from full sun to full shade and prefers partial shade in Phoenix. Very deep shade makes it lose its upright form.
Cut out floppy, broken or frost-damaged stems at any time. Wear gloves and eye protection for the sap.
It is hardy to about 20 to 28°F. Cover it on freezing nights, plant it in a warm spot, or keep it in a pot you can move.
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 is it different from lady slipper?
It is taller and thicker, growing 4 to 8 feet, with oval leaves near the stem tips. Pick lady slipper if you want a smaller, mostly leafless plant.
Does it attract hummingbirds?
Yes, hummingbirds pollinate its flowers. Plant it where you can watch them.
How far apart should I plant it?
Plant them about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center. The Spacing tab on this page has the numbers.
When does it bloom?
Red-orange bracts appear from late spring through fall. Give it more sun if you want more flowers.
Can it grow in shade?
Yes. It grows from full sun to full shade and prefers partial shade in Phoenix. Deep shade makes it floppy.
How often should I water it?
In Phoenix, give it regular water in summer so it looks its best. Water it sparingly in winter.
How cold can it take?
It is hardy to about 20 to 28°F. Cover it on freezing nights or plant it in a warm spot.
Can I grow it in a pot?
Yes, it grows well in a pot. Use cactus mix with a little desert soil, and feed it about twice a year.
Is the sap harmful?
Yes. The milky sap irritates skin and eyes. Wear gloves and goggles when pruning, and keep pets from chewing it.
Tall Slipper Plant for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Tall Slipper Plant is Euphorbia bracteata, sold as Pedilanthus bracteatus, from western Mexico. It is taller and leafier than lady slipper. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard, from size and sun to water, cold, 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 a tall slipper plant?
It is Euphorbia bracteata, sold as Pedilanthus bracteatus. It is a tall, upright slipper plant from western Mexico.
How tall does tall slipper plant get?
Plan for 4 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. Space plants about 4 to 6 feet apart.
Tall slipper plant in shade
It grows from full sun to full shade and prefers partial shade in Phoenix. In shade it grows more leaves, and in sun it blooms more.
Tall slipper plant and hummingbirds
Hummingbirds pollinate its flowers inside red-orange bracts, from late spring through fall. Plant it where you can see them.
Is tall slipper plant cold hardy?
It is hardy to about 20 to 28°F. Cover it on freezing nights, or grow it in a pot you can move.
Tall slipper plant vs lady slipper
Tall slipper is bigger and leafier. Lady slipper is smaller, mostly leafless and prefers less water.
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.