Baseball Plant (Euphorbia obesa): Perfect Spherical Succulent

Overview

Baseball Plant (Euphorbia obesa) is a remarkable, solitary, spherical succulent that looks exactly like a baseball—ribbed, segmented, and perfectly round. The gray-green body has 8 broad, slightly raised ribs with subtle cross-hatching. It grows slowly to 6–8 inches tall. Tiny, yellow cyathia appear at the apex in summer. No spines. Endangered in its native South African range (Great Karoo) due to over-collection, but widely propagated. A geometric masterpiece for collectors and windowsills. Handle sap with care.

Key Features

• Form: Perfect sphere to short cylinder; 8 ribs; segmented.
• Color: Gray-green with subtle patterning.
• Flowers: Tiny yellow cyathia at apex; summer.
• Conservation: Endangered in wild; cultivated widely.

Care Guidelines

Light

Bright light to full sun. Best form in strong light.

Water

Low. Water sparingly. Very drought-tolerant.

Soil

Very well-drained, gritty. Mineral mix.

Safety

Milky sap toxic/irritant.

Taxonomy

Family:	Euphorbiaceae
Genus:	Euphorbia (yoo-FOR-bee-uh)
Species:	obesa (oh-BEE-suh)