Candelilla
Euphorbia antisyphilitica
A waxy-stemmed Chihuahuan native with delicate pink-white blooms, historically harvested for its natural candle wax.
Frost sensitive, hardy to about 28°F, USDA 9-11; a warm-desert Chihuahuan native.
AMWUA Notes
Sap is a skin irritant.
Care Guide
Needs very little water; monthly in summer at most and none in winter. It rots in wet soil.
Minimal; remove dead or frost-damaged stems, wearing gloves against the irritating sap.
Not necessary.
Trouble-free; the milky sap deters most pests.
Frost-tender below 28°F; the waxy stems help it endure intense heat and drought.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Sharp-draining decomposed granite or gritty mineral soil; lean
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Division of the clump or cuttings (let the sap callus first)
4 ft
Shallow, non-invasive roots; keep the irritating sap off skin
Placement Tips
- •Use in rock gardens, containers or borders where the slender waxy stems form a clump.
- •Keep the sap off skin.
- •Plant in sharp-draining granite.
- •Allow for the 4 ft spread.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Candelilla. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Candelilla — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Candelilla need in Phoenix?
Candelilla is a very low-water succulent once established. Needs very little water; monthly in summer at most and none in winter. It rots in wet soil. Sap is a skin irritant.
How big does Candelilla get?
Expect roughly 1.5 ft tall and 4 ft wide at maturity, with a slow growth rate. Allow about 4 ft of spacing when planting. Shallow, non-invasive roots; keep the irritating sap off skin.
Can you plant Candelilla near a pool?
Yes. Candelilla is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Candelilla handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Candelilla is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Frost sensitive, hardy to about 28°F, USDA 9-11; a warm-desert Chihuahuan native. Frost-tender below 28°F; the waxy stems help it endure intense heat and drought.
Does Candelilla have thorns?
No. Candelilla is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Candelilla safe around pets?
Candelilla is not listed as pet-friendly, so keep it out of areas where pets graze or chew, and check with your vet if you are unsure.
When does Candelilla bloom in Arizona?
Candelilla blooms in spring-summer, with pink/white flowers.
How much maintenance does Candelilla need?
Candelilla is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Minimal; remove dead or frost-damaged stems, wearing gloves against the irritating sap.
What kind of soil does Candelilla need?
Sharp-draining decomposed granite or gritty mineral soil; lean. It needs no supplemental feeding. Not necessary.
Is Candelilla native to Arizona?
No. Candelilla is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Chihuahuan Desert, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.