Euphorbia 'Japonica' Plants GrowTropicals
Pineapple Euphorbia

Euphorbia 'Japonica'

£12.99
Sun-lover
Pot size
6cm £12.99

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Complete the set up
Desert Mix | Premium Cacti & Succulent Potting Mix
The perfect soil Desert Mix | Premium Cacti & Succulent Potting Mix · 2.5L · £4.99
Description

Euphorbia 'Japonica', the pineapple euphorbia, is a dwarf hybrid succulent whose chunky, pinecone shaped stems are tiled with neat tubercles and topped by a tuft of narrow leaves, so each stem looks like a tiny pineapple. Below the surface it builds a thick, turnip like root that merges into a short caudex, which makes it a favourite with caudex and succulent collectors.

Origins. It is a deliberate cross between two South African specialists, Euphorbia susannae and Euphorbia bupleurifolia, and shows both parents: susannae's geometric tubercles and bupleurifolia's pinecone trunk and leafy topknot. The same hybrid circulates as Euphorbia 'Cocklebur'. Like every Euphorbia it bleeds a poisonous, irritant milky sap, so handle with gloves and keep it away from pets and children.

Care. Give it bright light with some gentle sun, shaded from scorching midday glass. Unusually for a succulent it dislikes baking bone dry in summer, so water once the free draining mix has mostly dried, then stop almost entirely in winter, when it may drop its leaves and rest. Keep it above about 10C in winter and it is an easy, slow growing character among rare and unusual plants.

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All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.

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How to care for Pineapple Euphorbia

I want real sun on my leaves and hold the water until my soil is properly dry.

In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.
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About Pineapple Euphorbia

Euphorbia 'Japonica' is a houseplant that takes a little effort. It needs bright direct light, watering only once the compost has dried right through, average household humidity and a minimum temperature of 10°C. It is harmful to pets and small children if eaten.

Good for

Living Room

Care level

EasyChallenge

A little effort

Light

ShadeFull sun

Bright, direct sun

Bright light with some gentle direct sun. Shade it from fierce midday sun behind glass, which can scorch the stems. Read moreShow less

Bright light with some gentle direct sun. Shade it from fierce midday sun behind glass, which can scorch the stems.

Watering

Evenly moistDries out fully

Let it dry out fully between waterings

In spring and summer water once the mix has mostly dried; do not leave it bone dry for weeks in hot weather. In winter keep it nearly dry, it rots easily in cold wet compost. Read moreShow less

In spring and summer water once the mix has mostly dried; do not leave it bone dry for weeks in hot weather. In winter keep it nearly dry, it rots easily in cold wet compost.

Humidity

Average homeHigh humidity

Happy at normal household humidity

Normal room air is fine. It wants good airflow rather than humidity. Read moreShow less

Normal room air is fine. It wants good airflow rather than humidity.

Temperature

Keep above 10°C · Happy at normal room temperature

Comfortable at room temperature in growth. In winter keep it above about 10C and nearly dry while it rests; it may shed its leaves, which regrow in spring. Read moreShow less

Comfortable at room temperature in growth. In winter keep it above about 10C and nearly dry while it rests; it may shed its leaves, which regrow in spring.

Feeding

Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.

Growth habit

Clumping →

Plant type

Succulent →

Toxicity

Harmful if chewed or swallowed. Keep it out of reach of pets and small children, and wash your hands after pruning.

Also known as

Euphorbia 'Japonica'

Genus

Euphorbia →
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Euphorbia Japonica?

A hybrid, not a wild species, and despite the name it has nothing to do with Japan botanically. It is a garden raised cross between two South African succulents, Euphorbia susannae and Euphorbia bupleurifolia, and shows traits of both. The same plant also circulates under the cultivar name 'Cocklebur'.

Is it safe around pets and children?

No. Like all euphorbias it bleeds a milky latex when damaged that is poisonous if eaten and a strong skin and eye irritant. Keep it out of reach of pets and children, wear gloves when repotting, and wash off any sap immediately.

Why has it dropped its leaves?

Usually it is just resting. The leafy topknot is deciduous, and plants kept cool and dry over winter often shed their leaves, regrowing them in spring. Leaf drop in summer more often means the mix stayed bone dry too long; this hybrid likes a little more summer moisture than most succulents.

How big does it get?

It stays a genuine dwarf. Expect a slow growing cluster of pinecone shaped stems a few centimetres across, building a thick root and small caudex below the compost over the years. It will live happily in a small pot for a long time.

Can I raise the caudex above the soil?

Yes, carefully and gradually. Growers often lift the thick root slightly at repotting to show it off bonsai style. Expose only a little at a time, keep the exposed portion out of harsh sun at first, and remember raised roots make the plant slightly more drought sensitive.

Are your plants treated with pesticides?
We aim to avoid using pesticides where possible, but we can't control the whole supply chain.

If the plant is going into a vivarium, terrarium or aquarium with live animals, rinse the leaves and roots well, remove any soil and let the plant dry out before adding it. We'd also suggest keeping it away from animals for a month first.
Can I see a photo of the exact plant I'll receive?
We're not able to send photos of individual plants or let you choose a specific one, as plants are selected by our team when your order is packed. Our photos show the variety and the kind of plant you can expect, and yours may vary a little in height, shape or fullness.

If a size has a code next to it, such as 9cm / B2, you're buying the exact plant pictured.
Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.

It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.

If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.

If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.

That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.

Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.

When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.

We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.

Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.

It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.

Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.

Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.

During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.

That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 7 days with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.

The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Meet the family

Everything about Euphorbia

Euphorbia are architectural, low-maintenance plants that need bright light and infrequent watering. This guide covers care for all major types, with an important note on their toxic sap.

More about Euphorbia care
Euphorbia Care Guide
Why Grow Tropicals

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From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.

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Euphorbia 'Japonica'
£12.99