Euphorbia obesa
Also known as: Baseball plant
The baseball plant: a perfect grey-green sphere with banded ribs, exactly like a stitched baseball. It belongs to the Euphorbia genus, comes from South Africa (Great Karoo), stays around Baseball 8–15 cm diameter, and tolerates USDA 10b–11; keep above 5 °C. Individual plants vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Key facts
- Genus: Euphorbia
- Origin: South Africa (Great Karoo)
- Mature size: Baseball 8–15 cm diameter
- Hardiness: USDA 10b–11; keep above 5 °C
- Toxicity: ⚠️ Milky sap irritant
Succulent at a glance
- Genus
- Euphorbia
- Origin
- South Africa (Great Karoo)
- Mature size
- Baseball 8–15 cm diameter
- Growth habit
- Single ball-shaped ribbed body, male/female on different plants
- Leaf colour
- Grey-green banded baseball, eight ribs
- Flower colour
- Tiny yellow cups on the female plant
- Hardiness
- USDA 10b–11; keep above 5 °C
- Toxicity
- ⚠️ Milky sap irritant
- Other names
- Baseball plant
About the Euphorbia obesa
The baseball plant: a perfect grey-green sphere with banded ribs, exactly like a stitched baseball. Slow-growing, endangered in habitat (over-collected), so buy nursery-propagated only. Water carefully — it rots as easily as a lithops.
Care and cultivation
Euphorbias look like cacti but are unrelated and hate cactus-style neglect in winter. Give them bright light, a gritty mix, and a completely dry, cool winter rest. Always wear gloves when cutting: the latex sap irritates skin and eyes. Keep away from pets and children. Light: Bright light with direct sun. Water: Every 2–3 weeks in growth; dry in winter. Use a Gritty succulent mix.
Description
Euphorbia obesa is an Euphorbia succulent from South Africa (Great Karoo). The baseball plant: a perfect grey-green sphere with banded ribs, exactly like a stitched baseball. Slow-growing, endangered in habitat (over-collected), so buy nursery-propagated only. Water carefully — it rots as easily as a lithops.
Identification
Look for: Grey-green banded baseball, eight ribs leaves in a Baseball 8–15 cm diameter form. Also answers to Baseball plant. The genus is Euphorbia, which already narrows down the care requirements considerably. Nickname: 'Baseball plant'.
Common problems
Milky sap is a skin and eye irritant — wear gloves and eye protection • Rot in winter wet • Spider mites in dry indoor air •
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water my Euphorbia obesa?
Every 2–3 weeks in growth; dry in winter. Always let the soil dry completely between waterings, and water less in winter when growth slows.
How much light does Euphorbia obesa need?
Bright light with direct sun. If the plant stretches or loses colour, it needs more light.
Related succulents
Succulent information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the Euphorbia obesa, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.