Crown of thorns
Euphorbia milii, family Euphorbiaceae
A spiny flowering shrub with red, pink, or white bracts, native to Madagascar
Crown of thorns is a succulent shrub from Madagascar, grown for its thorny stems and colorful bracts that surround its small flowers. It is popular as a houseplant and in warm gardens, but its sap can irritate skin and is toxic if eaten. The plant is used in pest control and has religious associations in some cultures.
- Native to Madagascar and introduced to France in 1821
- Flowers all year, with red, pink, or white bracts
- Sap is irritating and toxic if ingested
- Used in snail control to fight disease
- Important symbol in Bathouism and Christian legend
What does Crown of thorns look like?
This plant grows as a woody, spiny shrub that can reach nearly 1.8 meters tall. Its stems are thick and covered in sharp spines, which help it climb and form dense thickets. New growth produces fleshy green leaves, while the small flowers are surrounded by bright bracts in shades of red, pink, or white. The overall look varies by variety, with some having slender stems and others much thicker ones.
Where does Crown of thorns come from?
Crown of thorns is native to Madagascar, where it grows wild. It was brought to France in the early 1800s by Baron Milius, who governed Réunion. Over time, it spread to other regions, both as a garden plant and as a houseplant. The plant’s name recalls a legend linking it to the crown worn by Jesus, which influenced its common names.
When and how Crown of thorns blooms
This species flowers throughout the year, especially thriving from spring to summer. It prefers warm, frost-free conditions and is usually grown indoors in cooler climates. Propagation is done by taking cuttings. The plant does not survive temperatures below 10°C, so in temperate places it is kept in greenhouses or sunny windows.
How Crown of thorns is used
Crown of thorns is mainly grown for decoration, both indoors and outdoors where winters are mild. Extracts from the plant are used to control snails, which helps reduce the spread of certain waterborne diseases. Its sap is toxic and can irritate skin or cause illness if swallowed. Some varieties are important in religious practice and symbolism.
Kinds of Crown of thorns
There are several named varieties, each with different stem shapes, spine types, and flower bract colors. E. milii var. splendens is especially notable for its role in Bathouism, a faith in parts of India and Nepal. Thai hybrids are known for their thick stems. Some forms are even considered separate species by some botanists.
What Crown of thorns means
The plant’s link to the biblical crown of thorns has shaped its symbolism in Christian tradition. In Bathouism, a regional faith, one variety is seen as a living symbol of the supreme deity. Crown of thorns has also received recognition from horticultural societies for its value as a garden plant. Its sap’s toxicity is well known, especially for pets.
Where Crown of thorns is used and seen
Questions people ask about Crown of thorns
Where does crown of thorns come from?
Crown of thorns originally grows in Madagascar. It was introduced to France in the 19th century and is now grown in many warm regions and as a houseplant worldwide.
What does the plant look like?
It is a spiny, woody shrub with thick stems covered in sharp spines. The small flowers are surrounded by colorful bracts, usually red, pink, or white, and the leaves are fleshy and green on new growth.
Is crown of thorns poisonous?
Yes, the sap can irritate skin and eyes, and if eaten, it can cause stomach pain and vomiting. It is especially dangerous for pets and livestock.
What is crown of thorns used for?
It is grown as an ornamental plant and used in pest control, especially for managing snails that spread disease. Some varieties have religious significance.
What does crown of thorns symbolize?
The plant is linked to the biblical story of Jesus and is a symbol in Christian tradition. In Bathouism, a variety is seen as the embodiment of the supreme deity.
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- Euphorbia miliiRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
- IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesIUCN Red List, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Euphorbia milii on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Euphorbia milii", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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