David’s Spurge: What Every Gardener Should Know About This Widespread Annual
If you’ve ever noticed small, weedy-looking plants with tiny greenish flowers popping up in gardens, vacant lots, or along roadsides, you might have encountered David’s spurge (Euphorbia davidii). This unassuming annual has quite the story to tell – and some important considerations for gardeners to weigh.
What is David’s Spurge?
David’s spurge is an annual forb, meaning it’s a non-woody herbaceous plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Like other members of the spurge family, it produces a milky sap when broken or cut. The plant typically grows as a modest, branching herb with small, inconspicuous flowers that won’t win any beauty contests but serve their purpose in the plant kingdom.
Where Does It Come From and Where Can You Find It?
Originally hailing from Mexico and Central America, David’s spurge has become quite the traveler. This non-native species has established itself across a remarkably wide range, now calling home to locations spanning from Arizona to Vermont, and from Florida up to Quebec and Ontario in Canada. It’s found in states including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Should You Grow David’s Spurge in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get interesting. While David’s spurge isn’t typically considered a garden-worthy ornamental, it’s also not classified as invasive in most areas. However, there are several factors to consider:
The Case Against Planting It:
- Limited ornamental value – the flowers are small and unremarkable
- Can self-seed readily and spread throughout garden beds
- As a non-native species, it doesn’t support local ecosystems as effectively as native plants
- May compete with more desirable native wildflowers
Neutral Considerations:
- Extremely adaptable and drought-tolerant once established
- Requires minimal care and thrives in poor soils
- May provide some minor benefits to small pollinators
- Not known to be aggressive or harmful to other plants
Growing Conditions and Care
If David’s spurge does find its way into your garden (whether invited or not), it’s remarkably easy to accommodate. This adaptable annual thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-10, though as an annual, it’s more about the length of the growing season than winter hardiness.
Preferred Growing Conditions:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Adaptable to various soil types, including poor soils
- Water: Drought tolerant once established; doesn’t require regular watering
- Maintenance: Minimal care needed
A Better Alternative: Consider Native Options
While David’s spurge won’t cause major problems in your garden, why not choose plants that actively benefit your local ecosystem? Consider these native alternatives that offer similar low-maintenance appeal:
- Native annual wildflowers suited to your region
- Local native grasses that provide habitat for beneficial insects
- Indigenous flowering plants that support native pollinators and birds
Check with your local native plant society or extension office for recommendations specific to your area.
The Bottom Line
David’s spurge represents one of those garden neutral zones – it’s not a plant you’d typically seek out for its beauty or ecological benefits, but it’s also not one that will cause major headaches if it appears. Its widespread distribution speaks to its adaptability, but that same characteristic means it’s already well-established in the landscape without gardeners’ help.
For most gardeners, energy is better spent on native plants that offer greater aesthetic appeal and ecological value. However, if you’re dealing with challenging growing conditions where few other plants thrive, David’s spurge might serve as a temporary ground cover while you work on soil improvement and plan for more desirable plantings.
Remember, every garden choice is an opportunity to support local wildlife and ecosystems – so why not make it count?
