The Variegated Devil's Backbone (Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Variegata'), also known as the Zig Zag Plant or Jacob's Ladder, is a captivating succulent that offers more than just its unique, architectural stems. One of its most enchanting features is the ability of its leaves to blush with vibrant pink and red hues, especially during the cooler months. If you've been wondering how to encourage this stunning transformation in your own plant, you've come to the right place!
At All About Planties, we love helping you unlock the full potential of your green companions. Here's our guide to bringing out those beautiful pink tones in your Variegated Devil's Backbone.
1. The Secret Ingredient: Bright Light (and Lots of It!)
The primary driver for pink coloration in many succulents, including the Devil's Backbone, is high light exposure. Think of it like a suntan for your plant!
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Direct Sunlight is Key: For the most intense pinks, your plant will need several hours of direct, unobstructed sunlight daily. A south-facing window (in the Northern Hemisphere) or an east/west-facing window with ample afternoon sun is ideal.
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Gradual Acclimation: If your plant has been in lower light conditions, introduce it to brighter light gradually over a week or two to prevent sunburn. Move it a little closer to the window each day.
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Outdoor Living: During warm summer months, consider moving your Devil's Backbone outdoors to a spot where it receives plenty of direct morning sun and some afternoon shade from the most intense rays. The combination of natural light cycles and intensity will truly bring out the color.
2. Embrace the Chill: Cooler Temperatures
While the Devil's Backbone is a tropical succulent, a slight drop in temperature, particularly at night, can also trigger that beautiful stress coloring.
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Winter Wonders: As the days shorten and temperatures naturally cool down in fall and winter, you'll often see the most dramatic color changes.
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Avoid Frost: Never expose your plant to freezing temperatures. While they appreciate a chill, they are not frost-hardy.
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Nighttime Drop: If your plant is indoors, try to place it in a room where the temperature naturally drops a few degrees at night, perhaps away from constant heating vents.
3. Mindful Watering: The "Thirsty" Approach
Overwatering can lead to lush green growth, but a little stress from less frequent watering can also contribute to color development.
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Let it Dry Out: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. As a succulent, it stores water in its stems.
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Slightly Under-water: During the cooler, brighter months when you're trying to achieve pink coloration, you can slightly reduce the frequency of watering compared to its active growing season. This gentle stress encourages pigment production.
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Never Soggy: Always ensure excellent drainage to prevent root rot, which is far more detrimental than a bit of thirst.
4. Go Easy on the Fertilizer
Too much nitrogen promotes lush, green vegetative growth. If you're aiming for pink, go easy on the feeding.
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Less is More: Fertilize sparingly, if at all, especially during the fall and winter when the plant is less actively growing and you're trying to encourage stress coloring.
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Balanced or Low Nitrogen: If you do fertilize, use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength, or one with a lower nitrogen content.
5. The Role of Genetics (and Patience!)
Keep in mind that while light, temperature, and watering are key, the intensity of pink can also vary slightly depending on the specific cultivar of your variegated plant. Some plants are simply genetically predisposed to color up more dramatically than others.
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Patience is a Virtue: Don't expect instant results. It can take a few weeks of optimal conditions for the pink hues to fully develop. Enjoy the process and observe your plant's gradual transformation.
Important Note on Toxicity:
Remember that like all Euphorbias, the Variegated Devil's Backbone produces a milky white sap that can be irritating to skin and eyes, and toxic if ingested. Always handle with care and keep away from curious pets and children.
Ready to See Pink?
With these tips from All About Planties, you're well on your way to enjoying the vibrant pink spectacle your Variegated Devil's Backbone has to offer. Experiment with light, temperature, and watering, and soon you'll be admiring a kaleidoscope of color!
Shop our Variegated Devil's Backbone (Zig Zag Plant) today and start your journey to pink perfection!
