Best Devil’s Backbone Succulent Plants for Indoor Growing
The best Devil’s backbone succulent depends on whether you want a larger 4-inch potted plant, a compact starter, variegated foliage, or several plants. The listings below include four Pedilanthus/Devil’s backbone options and one Crown of Thorns alternative; Crown of Thorns is a different plant, not a Devil’s backbone. Compare the listed pot sizes and plant counts before choosing.
| Product | Best For | Listed Format |
|---|---|---|
| Red Bird Zig Zag Cactus | A single 4-inch potted plant | 4-inch pot |
| Variegated Devil’s Backbone | Shoppers seeking variegation | 4-inch pot |
| Compact Devil’s Backbone | A small starter plant | 2-inch pot |
| Four Starter Plants | Growing several plants | Four live starters |
| Red Crown of Thorns | A related succulent alternative | 4–7 inches tall |
Red Bird Zig Zag Cactus

This listing identifies the plant as a Devil’s Backbone, Pedilanthus, and Red Bird Zig Zag Cactus. Those names make it a direct match for shoppers searching for the distinctive zigzag-stemmed succulent. The listed container size is 4 inches.
Best for: Buyers who want one named Devil’s backbone plant in a 4-inch pot. It was selected because the listing directly names the plant and its familiar zigzag form. The listing does not specify plant height, so check the current product details if mature size matters. Its 4-inch pot is the stated format, not a guarantee of a particular plant size.
Variegated Devil’s Backbone

This option is described as a variegated Devil’s Backbone Euphorbia for indoor or outdoor use. The listing also names living rooms, offices, and bathrooms as possible settings. It comes in a 4-inch pot, according to the product title.
Best for: Plant shoppers specifically looking for variegated foliage in a 4-inch potted option. It stands out from the other listings because variegation is a stated feature. Choose it if that foliage description is a priority; the listing does not provide detailed light, watering, or temperature instructions in the supplied information. “Indoor and outdoor” in the title does not establish suitability for every climate or location.
Compact Pedilanthus Starter Plant

This product is listed as one live Devil’s Backbone plant in a 2-inch pot. Its title also identifies it as Pedilanthus tithymaloides and describes it as an easy-care tropical succulent with a zigzag stem and architectural form.
Best for: Buyers who want a smaller starter plant or have limited room for a pot. It was selected for its clear plant identification and compact listed pot size. Compared with the 4-inch options, this is the smaller-format choice. The 2-inch pot is a practical limitation for shoppers who want a larger established-looking plant immediately; the listing does not state the plant’s height.
Four Devil’s Backbone Starter Plants

This listing offers four live starter plants identified as Pedilanthus tithymaloides. The title describes them as hardy, easy-care tropical succulents with structural, upright foliage. Unlike the single-plant listings, the stated quantity is four.
Best for: Buyers who want multiple starters rather than one plant. It may suit someone planning several containers or wanting more than one specimen, though the listing does not state individual pot sizes or plant heights in the supplied details. Choose this if quantity is more important than receiving a single larger potted plant. Confirm the current listing for container and shipping details before ordering.
Red Crown Of Thorns Alternative

This listing is for a Red Crown of Thorns, not a Devil’s Backbone. It is included only as an alternative for shoppers comparing succulent houseplants. The product title gives a height range of 4–7 inches and describes it as suitable for indoor or outdoor growing, with Zones 9–11 hardiness, a well-lit spot, sandy well-drained soil, and water-wise care.
Best for: Buyers who are open to a different succulent with red flowers or foliage implied by its name, rather than seeking Pedilanthus. It was selected as a clearly described related plant option. Avoid this choice if you specifically need a Devil’s Backbone; the listing identifies it as Crown of Thorns.
Buying Guide: How To Choose A Devil’s Backbone Plant
Do you want one plant or several?
Choose a single-plant listing when you want one specimen and prefer a specified 2-inch or 4-inch pot. Choose the four-starter listing if quantity is the deciding factor. Its title does not state individual pot sizes, so verify that detail if container format is important.
Does pot size or foliage matter more?
The 2-inch listing is the compact starter option, while two direct Devil’s backbone listings specify 4-inch pots. The variegated listing is the clearest choice when variegation is a priority. A listed pot size describes the container, not necessarily the plant’s height or maturity.
Is every product here the same plant?
No. Four listings name Devil’s Backbone or Pedilanthus. The Red Crown of Thorns listing is a separate plant and should not be purchased as a substitute when exact plant identity matters. Read the botanical or common name in the listing before ordering.
What care details should you confirm?
The supplied product information does not provide full care instructions for every Devil’s backbone option. Before purchase, check the current listing for light, watering, temperature, shipping, and plant-size details. The Crown of Thorns listing specifically mentions a well-lit spot, sandy well-drained soil, water-wise care, and Zones 9–11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which listing is best for a small space?
The one-plant Pedilanthus listing in a 2-inch pot is the smallest stated container option. The listing does not specify the plant’s height.
Which Devil’s backbone option is variegated?
The Variegated Devil’s Backbone Euphorbia listing specifically identifies variegation and states that it comes in a 4-inch pot.
Which product includes multiple plants?
The four-starter listing states that it includes four live Pedilanthus tithymaloides plants.
Is Crown of Thorns another name for Devil’s Backbone?
No. The product listing identifies Crown of Thorns as a different plant. Choose a listing named Pedilanthus or Devil’s Backbone when that exact plant is required.
Do the listings state complete care instructions?
No. The supplied details include limited care information, so review the current product page for specific growing instructions before buying.