The plant prefers full sun to part shade and does fine in regular garden soil or poor soil. It is quite drought tolerant. Sow seed in the spring, in pots or directly in the garden. Cover with 1/2 inch of soil, tamp firmly and keep warm and moist until germination, which occurs in 1 to 6 weeks.

There are quite a few websites that recommend planting a biennial (occasionally annual) spurge known as the mole plant or gopher plant (Euphorbia lathyris)* to repel moles and gophers from the garden. ... Neither pest seems to be even slightly bothered by the plant's presence.

BLM Arcata California sites notes that it is "invasive and spreading in many regions." From the Queensland Biosecurity Site: "In Victoria it is listed as an invasive weed of riparian shrubland and riverine escarpment shrubland plant communities.

Euphorbia lathyris, or Caper spurge, is an annual/bienniall herb that flowers from May to June. It can be found in the landscape as a cultivated herbaceous perennial, or weedy in disturbed areas, or escaping in waste places and around buildings. It will grow well in most types of soil and in shade or sun.. . . . .364011235864!]0000000000000009783314146000!]