Slipper Flower
Euphorbia lomelii
A quirky succulent bearing tiny red slipper-shaped flowers that hummingbirds love to visit.
Frost sensitive, hardy to about 30°F, USDA 9-11; a tender low-desert succulent.
AMWUA Notes
Sap is a skin irritant.
Care Guide
Water monthly in summer and none in winter; the succulent stems rot easily if kept moist.
Minimal; remove damaged stems wearing gloves against the irritating sap.
Not necessary; light spring feeding optional.
Largely pest-free; the sap deters browsers and most insects.
Frost-tender below 30°F; protect in cold snaps and enjoy the red slipper flowers spring into summer.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Fast-draining gritty mineral soil or decomposed granite; low organic matter
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
Low feeder.
Stem cuttings (let the sap callus first)
3 ft
Shallow, non-invasive roots; keep the irritating sap out of reach
Placement Tips
- •Great in containers or as a conversation-piece accent in a hummingbird garden.
- •Keep the sap away from skin and out of reach of children.
- •Plant in fast-draining soil.
- •Give it 3 ft of room.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Slipper Flower? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
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Use this care guide to maintain your Slipper Flower. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Slipper Flower — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Slipper Flower need in Phoenix?
Slipper Flower is a very low-water succulent once established. Water monthly in summer and none in winter; the succulent stems rot easily if kept moist. Sap is a skin irritant.
How big does Slipper Flower get?
Expect roughly 3 ft tall and 3 ft wide at maturity, with a slow growth rate. Allow about 3 ft of spacing when planting. Shallow, non-invasive roots; keep the irritating sap out of reach.
Can you plant Slipper Flower near a pool?
Yes. Slipper Flower is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Slipper Flower handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Slipper Flower is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Frost sensitive, hardy to about 30°F, USDA 9-11; a tender low-desert succulent. Frost-tender below 30°F; protect in cold snaps and enjoy the red slipper flowers spring into summer.
Does Slipper Flower have thorns?
No. Slipper Flower is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Slipper Flower safe around pets?
Slipper Flower 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 Slipper Flower bloom in Arizona?
Slipper Flower blooms in late spring-summer, with red flowers. The bloom draws hummingbirds.
How much maintenance does Slipper Flower need?
Slipper Flower is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Minimal; remove damaged stems wearing gloves against the irritating sap.
What kind of soil does Slipper Flower need?
Fast-draining gritty mineral soil or decomposed granite; low organic matter. Nutrient needs are low. Not necessary; light spring feeding optional.
Is Slipper Flower native to Arizona?
No. Slipper Flower is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Baja California and Sonora Mexico, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.