Pedilanthus macrocarpus
Common: Slipper plant, Slipper flower, Lady's slipper, Gallito
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Origin/Range: Mexico (Sonora, Baja California)
Light: Full sun to light shade
Temp: Hardy in Phoenix to 22°F (-5°C)
Water: Little water (once a month during the growing season)
Pedilanthus is a small genus, closely related to Euphorbia.
One of the best container plants for warm climates. This striking succulent has mostly leafless, lime green stems, about ½ inch in diameter, that stand straight up, or are arched and wavy. This plant forms a clump of stems to about 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide. In the fall and spring, unusual orange-red slipper-shaped flowers appear along the stems. Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
N eeds good drainage, and is extremely drought tolerant, requiring only bi-monthly irrigation, even in containers. In the hot low deserts it appreciates some filtered shade. It will tolerate full sun, although the stems can look chlorotic in extreme exposures.
Quite frost tender, and can suffer damage at 30° F. In addition to container plantings, it is ideal for use under desert trees.