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    • Photo of Euphorbia tirucalli foliage by Karl Gercens III

    Photo by Karl Gercens III

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

    Show all photos

    Euphorbia tirucalli

    Also Known As

    • Euphorbia 'Sticks of Fire
    • Euphorbia tirucallii
    • Milk Bush
    • Pencil Cactus
    • Rubber Hedge Euphorbia
    • Sticks on Fire

    Plant type

    tree, shrub, cactus / succulent

    size

    • H: 6'-30'
    • W: 3'-20'

    planting zones

    • 10a-12

    More Options

    Euphorbia tirucalli plant details

    Euphorbia tirucalli is an evergreen cactus / succulent, shrub or tree with green and red foliage. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter. Does well in average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Euphorbia tirucalli

    Plant type: cactus / succulent, shrub or tree
    Plant family: euphorbiaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green and red
    Mature size: 3 FT - 20 FT - wide, 6 FT - 30 FT - tall
    Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, houseplant, sculptural, tropical-looking, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Euphorbia tirucalli

    USDA Zones: 10a - 12
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: occasional - low
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat
    Soil needs: average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Can take 25 °F for only short periods. Sun to Partial Shade. Pale Yellow. Indoor/ Outdoor (Patio). Light/Bright Shade.

    By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

    (Euphorbia tirucalli) sometimes known as milk bush...slender cylindrical branches are pencil thick, glossy green, and narrow deciduous leaves...willowy stem..an excellent decorative plant tolerant of much neglect.

    By: Accents for Home and Garden

    Its easy to appreciate the beautiful architectural branching form of the deep green pencil-sized succulent stems of this vigorous upright growing tropical tree. Very carefree and forgiving if a watering is missed.

    By: Almost Eden

    Gardening facts about Euphorbia tirucalli plant

    How to Grow Euphorbia tirucalli

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • occasional - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in winter

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • red
      • green

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    See other plant types of Euphorbia for your garden

    Euphorbia cotinifolia

    aka Caribbean Copper Plant, Tropical Smoke Bush, Tropical Spurge

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    10a-11

    Size

    Height: 10'-15'

    Width: 10'-15'

    • sun
    • dry when dormant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Euphorbia cotinifolia foliage by Forest & Kim Starr
    View Plant

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    Euphorbia cylindrifolia ssp. tuberifera

    aka Euphorbia cylindrifolia v. tuberifera

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    10a-11

    Size

    Height: 6"-18"

    Width: 18"-36"

    • sun - bright shade
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Euphorbia cylindrifolia ssp. tuberifera flower, foliage, form by Frank Vincentz
    View Plant

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    Euphorbia hedyotoides

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    10a-12

    Size

    Height: 2'-8'

    Width: 2'-6'

    • sun - bright shade
    • occasional
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Euphorbia hedyotoides foliage, form by Frank Vincentz
    View Plant

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    Euphorbia platyclada

    aka Euphorbia platyclada v. platyclada, Tirucallia platyclada

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    10a-12

    Size

    Height: 20"-30"

    Width: 20"-30"

    • bright shade
    • drought tolerant
    Photo of Euphorbia platyclada foliage by Joe Mabel
    View Plant

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    Euphorbia mauritanica

    aka Pencil Milkbush

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    9a-12

    Size

    Height: 3'-4'

    Width: 3'-4'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    Photo of Euphorbia mauritanica flower by Far Out Flora
    View Plant

    More Options

    +306 more Euphorbia
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