Cushion Spurge Plant

Cushion spurge is a compact herbaceous perennial that forms a rounded mound of green foliage. Clusters of small spring flowers are framed by bright yellow bracts, and the leaves turn red, purple, or orange in fall. ## Growing Conditions Plant it in full sun or partial shade in loose, well-drained soil; afternoon shade can help in hot summers. Mature plants are usually about 12–18 inches tall and wide, making them useful along a border, in a cottage garden, or in a container. It is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8 and tolerates dry conditions after establishment. ## Seasonal Interest The yellow spring bracts bring the strongest bloom color, while the fall leaf color extends interest after flowering. The plant keeps a naturally mounded form when it receives enough light. ## Maintenance Remove faded flower stems if you want to limit self-seeding. Wear gloves and eye protection when cutting or dividing it because the milky sap can irritate skin and eyes. [NC State Extension’s cushion-spurge profile](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/euphorbia-epithymoides/common-name/many-colored-spurge/) covers its size, hardiness, growing conditions, and care; the page notes that *Euphorbia polychroma* is treated as a synonym under the POWO taxonomy it cites.