When does flowering spurge bloom?

Euphorbia corollata typically blooms from June through August, producing clusters of small white flowers atop slender stems.

What pollinators visit Euphorbia corollata?

Bees, butterflies, and beetles commonly visit the small white flowers of flowering spurge during its summer bloom period.

What growing conditions does flowering spurge need?

This forb performs best in full sun with low water needs, tolerating dry, well drained soils found in prairies, glades, and open woodlands.

Is Euphorbia corollata a shrub or a perennial?

Euphorbia corollata is a herbaceous forb, not a woody shrub, and it dies back to the ground each year after blooming.

Is Poison-milkweed toxic to dogs?

Yes. Poison-milkweed is listed as toxic to dogs by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Poison-milkweed toxic to cats?

Yes. Poison-milkweed is listed as toxic to cats by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Poison-milkweed HOA-friendly?

Poison-milkweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Poison-milkweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Euphorbia corollata

Last reviewed: September 2026

Euphorbia corollata, or flowering spurge, is a drought tolerant forb that blooms June through August with small white flowers on wiry stems. It thrives in full sun and dry, well drained soils typical of prairies, glades, and open woodland edges.

Poison-milkweed (Euphorbia corollata) — Photo: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

Poison-milkweed is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-20). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 24 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Deer

Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)

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Poison-milkweed is a native wildflower that produces clusters of small white flowers from June through August. This drought-tolerant perennial grows in an upright, clumping form and dies back to the ground each winter.

Growing Poison-milkweed

Grow Poison-milkweed in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Poison-milkweed takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Name includes 'poison' which raises concerns
Can appear weedy or wild in formal settings
Dies back completely in winter leaving bare spots

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles during the summer blooming period. As a member of the milkweed family, it may also support some butterfly larvae.

Common questions

When does flowering spurge bloom?: Euphorbia corollata typically blooms from June through August, producing clusters of small white flowers atop slender stems.
What pollinators visit Euphorbia corollata?: Bees, butterflies, and beetles commonly visit the small white flowers of flowering spurge during its summer bloom period.
What growing conditions does flowering spurge need?: This forb performs best in full sun with low water needs, tolerating dry, well drained soils found in prairies, glades, and open woodlands.
Is Euphorbia corollata a shrub or a perennial?: Euphorbia corollata is a herbaceous forb, not a woody shrub, and it dies back to the ground each year after blooming.
Is Poison-milkweed toxic to dogs?: Yes. Poison-milkweed is listed as toxic to dogs by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Poison-milkweed toxic to cats?: Yes. Poison-milkweed is listed as toxic to cats by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Poison-milkweed HOA-friendly?: Poison-milkweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

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