How to Care for Euphorbia 'Silver Fog'

In Containers

• 1

  Place "Silver Fog" euphorbia in bright, indirect light during spring and summer because direct light could be too intense. However, bright light is suitable if you live in a cool climate. Move the plant into full, bright light during the winter. If the plant is bleached or yellow, it might need more shade. Too little light causes the plant to stretch and look spindly.

• 2

  Feed the plant two or three times per month during spring and summer, using a dilute solution of a general-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer. Mix the fertilizer in a watering can at a ratio of 1/8 teaspoon per 1 gallon of water. Pour the solution evenly on the potting mixture, then water deeply so the fertilizer doesn't scorch the roots. Withhold fertilizer when the plant is dormant during fall and winter.

• 3

  Water the plant once every week or when the top of the soil feels dry. Water slowly until water trickles through the drainage hole of the container, then let the pot drain thoroughly. Water sparingly during fall and winter. Allow the soil to dry between waterings, then provide only enough water to prevent the plant from wilting.

• 4

  Repot "Silver Fog" about once a year or when the pot looks too small for the plant or roots grow through the drainage hole. Remove the plant carefully from the pot and move it into a pot only one size larger. Use a well-draining potting mixture such as a product formulated for cactus and succulents.

• 5

  Remove mealy bugs -- tiny insects with a white, cottony covering -- with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Use the same treatment to remove scale -- small pests with a hard, waxy shell.

In the Ground

• 6

  Water the plant during spring and summer when the soil feels dry -- about once a week. Provide enough water to saturate the soil to a depth of about 6 inches and then allow the soil to dry before the next watering. Never water if the soil feels moist because euphorbia rots in soggy soil. Too little water is better than too much.

• 7

  Apply a water-soluble fertilizer two or three times a month during spring and summer. Mix the fertilizer at a ratio of 1 teaspoon to 1 gallon of water. Pour the solution evenly on the soil around the plant with a watering can, then water deeply to distribute the fertilizer around the roots. You can also apply water-soluble fertilizer with a hose-end sprayer.

• 8

  Spray "Silver Fog" with insecticidal soap spray if the plant is bothered by aphids or spider mites. Apply the spray at a ratio of 1 teaspoon to a pint of water, increasing to 4 teaspoons for a heavy infestation. Spray the plant evenly, coating the tops and bottoms of the leaves. Repeat every four-to-seven days until the pests are eradicated.