Perennial · Euphorbiaceae family
cushion spurge
Euphorbia polychroma
In short a 10-second read
Cushion spurge (perennial) grows to 0.3–0.45 m tall and 0.3–0.6 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. It flowers in April–June; the flowers are yellow. Hardy to −26 °C.
× spread 0.3–0.6 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −26 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: little
Soil: loamy, sandy
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
April–June · yellow
Pruning
cut back to the ground (August–October)
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–November
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −26 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −26 °C
- Dies back in winter and regrows in spring
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
threadleaf coreopsis
0.6–0.9 m
woodland sage
0.4–0.9 m
Great Burnet
0.75–0.9 mReady-made Studio combinations that include cushion spurge
Tough perennials that cope with drought and a forgotten watering,…
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does cushion spurge flower?
In April–June; the flowers are yellow.
Does cushion spurge tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does cushion spurge need?
At maturity 0.3–0.6 m wide and 0.3–0.45 m tall; recommended spacing 40 cm.
Does cushion spurge survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −26 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Show sources (8)
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