Why does your Euphorbia milii have sudden leaf drop? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
Euphorbia milii is a succulent that stores water in its stems; sudden leaf drop is a primary defense mechanism when the roots are either suffocating from lack of oxygen (overwatering) or too dry (underwatering). Overwatering specifically leads to root rot, which prevents the plant from transporting water to the leaves.
This species is tropical and highly sensitive to temperatures below 50°F (10°C). Sudden exposure to cold drafts or a drop in nighttime temperature causes the plant to shed foliage quickly to conserve energy.
Crown of Thorns requires high light intensity to maintain its foliage. A sudden move to a shaded area or a significant reduction in light levels can trigger the plant to drop leaves that it can no longer support through photosynthesis.
A lack of essential macronutrients, particularly nitrogen, can lead to chlorosis and subsequent leaf abscission. This often happens in long-term container plants where the potting medium has become depleted of minerals.
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues:
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