BellinaMy Euphorbia ammak Journey: From Wishlist to Window Sill
The Euphorbia ammak had been on my plant wishlist for years. It’s one of those striking statement plants, tall, architectural, and adorned with creamy variegation, that’s incredibly hard to find, especially in Canada. For the longest time, all I ever saw were tiny cuttings online, and even those sold out almost instantly. I had nearly given up hope of finding a mature specimen locally.
Then, one day while scrolling through Instagram, I saw a story posted by one of my favourite plant shops, Vandermeer. They announced their biggest shipment yet of cacti and succulents had just arrived. I clicked through the stories eagerly, and as the camera panned over cart after cart of beautiful plants freshly unloaded from the truck, I spotted them. Euphorbia ammak. Beautiful, well-sized specimens. I knew right then I had to get to the store that same day.
There was just one catch. Work ended at 4 PM, and the store closed at 5 PM. Normally, a drive from my workplace to Vandermeer would take about 45 minutes, but that’s without the notorious 401 rush-hour traffic. The risk was real. A 45-minute drive could easily turn into an hour and a half. Still, I had waited too long to let this opportunity pass. I decided to make the drive.
That day, the traffic gods were with me. Somehow, the roads cleared, and I arrived at the store in just 40 minutes. It felt like fate. When I walked in and saw the selection, I was amazed. Each Euphorbia ammak was about two feet tall. Tall, elegant, and in great shape. After some deliberation, I chose a pot that contained not one but five Euphorbia ammak plants. It cost around $120, possibly a bit less, but even at $150, it would have been worth every penny for a plant I’d been chasing for years.
Over time, the five plants began to crowd the pot, so I gifted two to friends and kept three for myself. Watching them grow has brought me so much joy. Euphorbia ammak is a relatively low-maintenance plant, especially suited for someone who enjoys observing slow, steady growth. In winter, I water sparingly, about once a month, just enough to prevent desiccation. Come spring and summer, I increase watering, allowing the soil to dry completely between thorough soakings every two to three weeks.
I supplement with slow release fertilizer and occasionally use a diluted liquid feed during the growing season. Growth is slow or dormant in winter, but summer brings a flush of new growth, usually marked by tiny leaves along the spines. Every time I see them, I know the plant is thriving.
My Euphorbia ammak sits in a west facing window where it gets plenty of bright light. On the sunniest days of summer, I draw the sheer curtains to diffuse the intense rays. Its variegated foliage, splashes of white, soft yellow, mint green, and flecks of deep green, is simply stunning and adds elegance to any space.
This plant wasn’t just a purchase. It was an adventure, a chase, a moment of luck, and now, a daily joy. One of my all-time favourite finds, and definitely a memory I’ll always treasure.
Euphorbia ammak Care Summary
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Can tolerate some direct sun but should be filtered during intense midday hours.
Watering: Water sparingly in winter, once a month. In spring and summer, water thoroughly when soil is completely dry, typically every 2 to 3 weeks.
Soil: Use a well-draining cactus or succulent mix.
Fertilizer: Use a slow release fertilizer in spring. Optional diluted liquid feed during active growth.
Temperature: Prefers warm conditions. Protect from frost.
Growth: Slow grower, especially in winter. Summer growth is indicated by small leaves near spines.
Propagation: Best by cuttings. Allow cut end to callous before planting.
Euphorbia ammak is an eye catching, low maintenance succulent that makes a bold statement in any indoor plant collection.
