How often to water creeping spurge in California
In July in the Central Valley, established creeping spurge in loam needs a deep watering about every 14 days: about 1.5 gallons each time for a plant 2 feet across, about 0.8 gallons a week. Creeping spurge, also called myrtle spurge, is a low, evergreen perennial with a woody base and trailing stems lined with fleshy blue-gray leaves. Yellow bracts brighten it in late winter or early spring. It grows best in full sun in dry, well-drained soil, tolerates poor rocky ground and drought, and self-sows with abandon.
How often to water creeping spurge, month by month
Type your city above and the days between waterings and the gallons appear here, worked out from your city's climate table. Or read the figures by climate zone further down.
How this is worked out: established roots fill the top 1 foot of soil, and you water again when that soil has dried halfway. Loam soil holds about 1.5 inches of water per foot. Water the whole area the plant covers, and skip a watering after a good soaking rain.
How to tell it needs water
- Soil dry 3 inches down under the trailing stems in a long dry spell signals creeping spurge can take a soak
- Blue-gray leaves losing their plumpness can indicate the soil has stayed dry a long time
- Stems rotting where they lie on wet soil point to overwatering or poor drainage
- Seedlings popping up well beyond the plant show it is self-sowing
How to water it
- Water at the base with a slow hose only when the soil has dried well down
- Soak several inches deep, then let the soil dry before the next soak
- Plant in full sun in dry, well-drained, even rocky or sandy soil
- Remove spent flowers promptly to stop seeds
- Wear gloves when trimming, since the sap irritates skin
Through the seasons
Water a new plant lightly until it roots in, then let the soil dry between occasional soaks. Established plants are drought tolerant. It stays evergreen, though cold wind can mar the foliage. Flowers come in late winter or early spring, so deadhead right after bloom. WUCOLS rates creeping spurge low water on the north-central coast, in the Central Valley, on the south coast and in South Inland. WUCOLS has not evaluated it for the high desert or the low desert.
In pots
Creeping spurge trails nicely over the rim of a pot or rock wall planter. Use a gritty, fast-draining mix. Water once the mix is dry a couple of inches down, letting it drain freely. In summer sun, a pot may need water every few days. Keep the saucer empty. Snip off spent flowers so seed does not scatter. In winter, water only when the mix is dry. Repot in spring.
- A year
- 6.84 gal per sq ft
- Reference
- Sacramento climate table
- Counts
- Plant need, before sprinkler losses
Monthly water need by climate zone
Creeping Spurge: gallons per square foot per month, by WUCOLS climate zone
| Month | N. Coast | C. Valley | S. Coast | S. Inland | Hi Desert | Lo Desert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0.15 | 0.16 | 0.31 | 0.31 | – | – |
| Feb | 0.21 | 0.26 | 0.32 | 0.35 | – | – |
| Mar | 0.35 | 0.43 | 0.46 | 0.52 | – | – |
| Apr | 0.47 | 0.61 | 0.56 | 0.64 | – | – |
| May | 0.58 | 0.83 | 0.64 | 0.78 | – | – |
| Jun | 0.64 | 0.99 | 0.69 | 0.92 | – | – |
| Jul | 0.64 | 1.07 | 0.79 | 1 | – | – |
| Aug | 0.6 | 0.95 | 0.74 | 0.93 | – | – |
| Sep | 0.5 | 0.72 | 0.6 | 0.74 | – | – |
| Oct | 0.35 | 0.47 | 0.46 | 0.53 | – | – |
| Nov | 0.19 | 0.22 | 0.33 | 0.36 | – | – |
| Dec | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.26 | 0.27 | – | – |
| Year | 4.8 | 6.84 | 6.2 | 7.37 | – | – |
How this is worked out: the WUCOLS water rating for each zone times that zone’s climate for the month. A dash means WUCOLS does not rate the plant there. The figures are what the plant uses, before sprinkler losses.
Plants with the same water needs 16
Rated low water in the Central Valley, like creeping spurge. Plants that drink alike can share one valve and one schedule.
AgapanthusAgapanthus orientalislow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
GeraniumsPelargonium x hortorum and cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
SalviaSalvia greggii ssp., cvs. & hybridslow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
IrisesIris germanicalow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
AloeAloe spp. & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
SucculentsEcheveria spp. & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
Russian SagePerovskia spp. & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
YarrowAchillea millefolium (non-native hybrids)low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
Mountain AlyssumAlyssum montanumlow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
Silver SageSalvia argentealow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
Purple MulleinVerbascum phoeniceumlow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
Silvery YarrowAchillea clavennaelow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
Fern Leaf YarrowAchillea filipendulinalow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
California Native YarrowAchillea millefolium (CA native cultivars)low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
Woolly YarrowAchillea tomentosalow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
Perennial HollyhockAlcea rosea cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyTurn this into minutes on your water days
Every city page has a calculator that takes creeping spurge, your sprinkler type and the month, and gives the minutes per water day for that supplier's schedule. Or put it in a zone of the personal watering plan and get all twelve months printed.
Questions people ask
How often should I water creeping spurge in summer?
In July, established creeping spurge in loam needs a deep watering about every 14 days in the Central Valley, about every 18 days on the south coast and about every 14 days in the South Inland zone. Sandy soil holds less water, so waterings come closer together. Clay stretches them. Check the soil before each watering and skip one after a soaking rain.
How much water does creeping spurge need per day?
In July in the Central Valley, established creeping spurge needs about 0.1 gallons a day for a plant 2 feet across and about 0.4 gallons a day for a plant 4 feet across. Give it in deep waterings spread days apart rather than a little every day, so the whole root zone gets wet.
Does watering for creeping spurge change across California?
Yes. WUCOLS rates creeping spurge separately for each of the six California climate zones: low water in the North-Central Coastal zone, low water in the Central Valley zone, low water in the South Coastal zone, low water in the South Inland zone, not evaluated in the High and Intermediate Desert zone, not evaluated in the Low Desert zone. The monthly table above shows how the same rating translates into different gallon amounts as reference evapotranspiration changes.
Is creeping spurge invasive?
It self-sows with abandon and can fling seeds up to 15 feet. It is considered a noxious weed in parts of the western United States. Remove spent flowers before seed sets.
Is creeping spurge sap harmful?
The white sap can irritate skin and eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection when trimming. Keep it away from children and pets.
Does creeping spurge need much water?
No, it tolerates drought and poor, rocky soil. Wet soil causes rot. Water only after long dry spells.
How do I propagate creeping spurge?
Divide it or take basal cuttings in spring or early summer. Seedlings also appear on their own. Water new pieces lightly.
Why are my spurge leaves damaged in winter?
Cold temperatures and wind can mar the foliage. It recovers with new growth in spring. Do not add water to fix it.
More plant watering guides
Sources
- WUCOLS IV plant water use classification for Euphorbia myrsinites, the University of California survey California agencies use for landscape plan reviewRead August 23, 2026 on wucols.ucdavis.edu
- Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, adopted text and appendices, effective 2025-01-02 · monthly reference evapotranspiration per city, Appendix CRead August 23, 2026 on water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/Water-Use-And-Efficiency/MWELO-Rulemaking/Final-MWELO-Text-and-Appendices_20250103.pdf
- UC Statewide IPM Program, irrigation scheduling using evapotranspirationRead September 30, 2026 on ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/ENVIRON/evap.html
- Shaw and Pittenger, Landscape Irrigation System Evaluation and Management, UC Cooperative Extension, 2009Read September 30, 2026 on ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2013-02/160836.pdf
- Pittenger, Water Management in Gardens and Landscapes, UC Riverside, 2017Read September 30, 2026 on ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2017-03/258022.pdf