Euphorbia martinii

Common Name:
Martin’s Spurge

Description:
Euphorbia martinii, commonly known as Martin’s Spurge, is a compact, evergreen perennial shrub admired for its dramatic foliage and unique flower bracts. It features narrow, lance-shaped green leaves with red to burgundy tints, particularly in cooler months, and forms a neat, mounding habit. In late winter through spring, the plant is adorned with clusters of lime-green to yellow flower bracts that have a distinctive dark red eye, creating a striking contrast and lasting colour in garden beds. Well-suited to Melbourne’s climate, Euphorbia martinii is drought-tolerant once established, frost hardy, and thrives in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil. It’s an excellent choice for Mediterranean gardens, borders, mixed plantings, and containers. Minimal maintenance is required — simply prune back after flowering to maintain shape. Caution should be taken when handling, as the milky sap is toxic and can irritate skin and eyes.

Form:
Shrub – Small
Shrub – Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

Mature Size:
Height: 50–80 cm
Width: 50–80 cm

Aspect:
Full Sun
Part Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Late Winter
Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:
Lime Green
Yellow-Green with Dark Red Eye

Key Attributes:
Suitable for Pots
Drought Tolerant
Frost Tolerant
Low Maintenance
Evergreen
Excellent for Borders and Mediterranean Gardens
Colourful Foliage in Cool Seasons

Toxicity:
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
Milky sap may cause skin and eye irritation — handle with gloves

Companion Plants:
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
Lavandula ‘Avonview’
Salvia ‘Mystic Spires’
Achillea millefolium
Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’