Euphorbia tirucalli
A drought-tolerant, spineless, pencil-thin, leafless African succulent shrub with milky toxic sap, widely used as hedges and ornamental plant in bright light and well-drained soil, easily propagated from cuttings, and reaching roughly 3–12 meters tall with color-changing stems that turn yellow in summer and red in winter.
Common Names
Pencil Cactus, Pencil Tree, Indian Tree Spurge, Milk Bush, Firesticks, Rubber Euphorbia, African Milkbush, Pencil Plant
Summary
The pencil cactus, firestick plant, is a spineless succulent native to Africa, growing as a densely branched shrub or small tree with pencil-thick green stems; leaves are tiny and shed quickly; a milky latex sap is produced when stems are damaged; not a true cactus; stems can turn yellow, orange, or red in bright sun, and the plant photosynthesizes in green stems; outdoors it may reach up to about 30 ft tall, while indoors it is typically 6–8 ft tall.
Requires full sun to bright light and well-draining soil; drought-tolerant; water when the soil dries; frost-sensitive; can be grown as hedge or barrier in warm landscapes and as an ornamental plant in xeriscaping or containers; propagate from stem cuttings; pruning minimal; wear gloves and eye protection due to toxic sap; repot every 1–2 years; pests occasionally include mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
6-30 feet
Spread
6–8 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 9-12
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun; tolerates partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-draining soil, preferably sandy or gritty cactus/succulent mix with amendments such as perlite, pumice, or coarse sand
Soil Drainage
Well-draining soil
Soil pH
6.0-8.0, Neutral
Bloom Color
Insignificant
Bloom Time
Spring and Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
No fall foliage; leaves drop early.
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Several inches per year, up to about 20 inches, with rapid growth.
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings
Attracts Wildlife
Bees — Yes, Butterflies — Yes, Other pollinators — Yes, Birds — Yes
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- L.
- Publication
- Sp. Pl. : 452 (1753)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Malpighiales
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus
- Euphorbia
Synonyms
Arthrothamnus tirucalli Tirucalia tirucalli Euphorbia tirucalli var. rhipsaloides Euphorbia geayi Euphorbia laro Euphorbia media Euphorbia media var. bagshawei Euphorbia rhipsaloides Euphorbia scoparia Euphorbia suareziana Euphorbia viminalis Euphorbia rhipsaloides Euphorbia rhipsaloides Tirucalia indica