Tall slipper plant is a little-known succulent that looks much like a large version of its popular cousin, lady slipper. Here’s everything you need to know about growing this low-maintenance Sonoran Desert native in this complete care guide.
Tall slipper plant (Euphorbia bracteata) is a large, dramatic succulent with upright stems that are sparsely and sporadically covered with glossy oval leaves. Its brilliant red-orange flowers attract hummingbirds spring through fall.
Tall slipper plant is an extremely low-maintenance plant. It is native to the desert or dry shrublands of Western and Southern Mexico and tolerates desert conditions. It requires no pruning and produces no obvious litter.
This is not a plant you commonly see and looks so much like a lady slipper, it may have you doing a double take. The first time I saw one, it caught my eye and I wondered, “Is that a lady slipper on steroids?” 😲
You may be more familiar with lady slipper (Euphorbia lomelii) since it’s a popular landscape plant and container plant. These two plants have a lot in common besides their similar common names.
Both have clusters of tall, thin branches that turn red in the cold and bright red-orange flowers. But lady slipper is an overall smaller plant. It has thinner, shorter branches, smaller flowers, and insignificant leaves. Its stems are less rigid and more likely to tend to twist and bend into interesting curlicues.
Why I Like This Plant
- Adds architectural interest all year long
- Vivid flowers spring through fall
- Low maintenance, low-litter
- Attracts hummingbirds
Things to Watch Out For
Like all members of the Euphorbia genus, tall slipper plant exudes milky sap that is toxic to ingest and can be irritating to the skin.
Don’t be surprised if your plant is often leafless. They are deciduous and lose their leaves in the winter. They produce more leaves when grown in shade or when receiving regular irrigation.
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding a tall slipper plant to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep your plant healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Tall slipper plant should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 – 11. It will survive temperatures down to 20˚F but may sustain some damage below 25˚F.
When the nights are consistently in the thirties, you may notice stems turning red. This is nothing to be concerned about. Some Euphorbias (i.e., lady slipper, firesticks) turn red with cold stress. Many gardeners find this an attractive feature!
Sun Exposure
Tall slipper plant will grow in all light conditions, from full sun to full shade. But keep them away from the reflected heat of a west-facing wall. Plants will turn yellow with too much sun. In very hot microclimates, they appreciate some afternoon shade.
When grown in the shade, plants have more leaves, but fewer flowers.
Size and Growth Rate
Tall slipper plant is a moderately fast grower. Clusters are typically 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide, but they can grow much taller — up to 8 feet or more!
Soil
Tall slipper plant is not particular about soil and grows in any native desert soil, as long as it’s well-draining.
Tall slipper plant makes a dramatic statement in a large container. If you grow one in a pot, be sure it has good drainage and use specifically formulated cactus soil.
Other Location Considerations
Since tall slipper plant is tall, narrow, and litter-free, it’s a good plant for narrow spaces like along sidewalks or pools. But since it is toxic and can be irritating to touch, keep it where kids and dogs won’t get at it.
Tall Slipper Plant:
The Essentials
| Common Name | Tall slipper plant |
| Scientific Name | Euphorbia bracteata |
| Origin | Mexico |
| Plant Type | Deciduous succulent |
| USDA Zones | Zones 9 – 11 |
| Cold Hardiness | To 20℉ |
| Flower Color | Red-orange |
| Flower Season | Spring, summer, fall |
| Mature Size | 6′ high x 3’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Slow to moderate |
| Sun Tolerance | Full sun to full shade |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Pests & Diseases | None |
| Toxicity | Toxic to people, pets, livestock |
| Wildlife | Attracts hummingbirds Deer, rabbit, javelina resistant |
How to Plant
Dig a hole as deep as and twice as wide as the nursery container. Carefully remove the plant from the container, put it in the hole, and press the soil to remove any air pockets.
It’s generally recommended that you backfill with only native soil and not add any amendments. However, good drainage is critical. So if you know your soil is slow draining, amend with coarse sand or small gravel until you have a loose, well-drained mix.
Since tall slipper plant exudes toxic sap, handle with care. When dealing with plants like tall slipper plant, I put a pair of inexpensive disposable gloves over my regular gardening gloves and then toss them when done. If you get sap on your gardening tools, clean them thoroughly before putting them away.
When to Plant
The best time to plant succulents is April or May when warm soil temperatures encourage root development.
How to Care for Tall Slipper Plant
Whether you’ve recently planted a tall slipper plant or have an existing plant in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water
You’re probably used to giving a plant a good soaking immediately after transplanting, but that isn’t the best practice with succulents. Counterintuitively, it’s best to not water them for one to two weeks after planting. Then use the following schedule as a guide.
| Spring & Fall | Every 3-5 weeks |
| Summer | Every 2-4 weeks |
| Winter | Only if no winter rains |
No supplemental water is necessary during the winter, provided there have been winter rains. Avoid watering if freezing temperatures are in the forecast.
If you’re growing one in a container, use this watering schedule as a guide.
| Spring & Fall | Every 7-10 days |
| Summer | Every 5-7 days |
| Winter | Every 10-14 days |
Should You Fertilize?
There is no need to fertilize tall slipper plant if planted in the ground, they get all the nutrients they need from the surrounding desert soil. But if you keep it in a pot, fertilize lightly a few times a year when it’s actively growing.
Pruning & Propagation
This plant rarely needs pruning except to remove dead or damaged stems, which can be done anytime of the year. If the cluster is growing too wide, you can remove individual stems on the perimeter.
If you trim back any live stems, you can use them to grow new plants. Simply let the cut ends dry in the shade for a week or so, then stick them into cactus soil and water infrequently.
Plant Lover Facts
Tall slipper plant has several other common names including slipper plant, slipper spurge, tall lady’s slippers, little bird plant, and candelilla.
Don’t confuse it with another succulent called candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphilitica). This species also has tall skinny stems but is much smaller, growing 1 to 2 feet tall, and has tiny “barely there” pink flowers in the spring.
One of its former scientific names, Pedilanthus bracteatus, is still commonly used. Pedilanthus is a composite of the Greek words pedilon (shoe) and anthos (flower).
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for over 15 years.
Photo Credits
“Tall Slipper Plant” by KM is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Arizona State University’s Virtual Library of Phoenix Landscape Plants