It’s never ideal to find out that there are rats in your vegetable garden, but fortunately, there is a plant that you can grow to deter these pests. It’s called the Christ plant (Euphorbia milii). Also known as a Christ Thorn plant or Crown of Thorns (as well as Crown-of-thorns), this shrub earned its name due to the spikes that cover each branch. It’s these painful thorns that, in part, make it difficult for rats to pass them without being injured. Because of that, the critters tend to do their best to avoid a Christ plant. On top of that, this shrub produces a toxic sap that animals are wary of.
All of these combined factors mean that Christ plants can keep rats out of your garden if you know how and where to use them. Simply figure out where your rat problems are the worst — for instance, in your vegetable garden or other spots around your yard. When you’ve identified the problem area, then you can plant a few Christ shrubs there to deter the invading rodents. That’s not to mention the fact that they produce stunning red or yellow flowers that make them an attractive addition to your outdoor space. Of course, before you go ahead and try to grow this plant, there are a few more things to know.
How to grow rat-deterring Christ plants
Growing Christ plants to keep rats out of your garden can be an ideal solution for your rodent-related issues. Granted, you don’t just want to plant them anywhere and hope that they do their job. Instead, you should know that this shrub prefers to live in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. It’s also best to grow it in an area that gets plenty of sunshine. However, if you want it to produce its gorgeous blooms, then you’ll want to give it a little shade during midday and keep it in soil that has medium moisture levels. Do not expose it to overly wet or cold conditions which will harm the plant.
Beyond that, be sure to plant it in an area that has enough space for it to expand over time. That’s because this shrub can grow to be anywhere from 3 to 6 feet tall when planted outside. They can create a substantial barrier when you place the Christ plant in strategic spots to keep rats away from your garden. Prune your shrubs at the end of each summer to encourage new growth for the following spring, and you’ll have healthy shrubs that can continue to ward off rodents. However, be careful when handling or placing these shrubs because they can cause a few problems for both humans and pets.
Be careful around toxic Christ plants
The fact that Christ plants are toxic is one of the reasons they can be used to keep rats out of your garden. At the same time, this means that they can also cause issues for you, your family, and your pets. In fact, the Pet Poison Helpline notes that animals who come in contact with this plant can suffer from irritation to the mouth, eyes, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Although any contact with the shrub can cause harm, the problems mainly stem from the toxic sap.
This sap is somewhat poisonous to humans and can spark some of the same kinds of issues that it does in pets, according to NC State University’s North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. That includes irritation to the eyes and skin, as well as a rash and swelling. Full-on poisoning can lead to blisters in the mouth, severe stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of energy.
When working with a Christ plant, be sure to wear gloves and long sleeves as well as other potential protective gear. As you prune the plants, keep an eye out for broken branches that might be seeping sap. Although you want to avoid touching it, you might want to leave the sap exposed for rats to come across so that they know your garden isn’t a welcoming place for them.
