Photo of Euphorbia lactea form by Arria Belli

Photo by Arria Belli

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Euphorbia lactea

Also Known As

  • African Milk Tree
  • Candelabra Cactus
  • Candelabra Spurge
  • Elkhorn
  • Frilled Fan
  • Green Good Luck Cactus
  • Hatrack Cactus
  • Milkstripe Euphorbia
  • Mottled Candlestick
  • Mottled Spurge

Plant type

shrub, cactus / succulent

size

  • H: 6'
  • W: 3'

planting zones

  • 10a-11

More Options

Euphorbia lactea plant details

Euphorbia lactea is a cactus / succulent or shrub with green foliage. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Euphorbia lactea

Plant type: cactus / succulent or shrub
Plant family: euphorbiaceae
Mature size: 0 FT - 3 FT - wide, 0 FT - 6 FT - tall
Uses: houseplant, spiky

GROWING CONDITIONS for Euphorbia lactea

USDA Zones: 10a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Variegated Euphorbia lactea, also known as Milk Cactus, or Candelabra Cactus. Grows long, upright branches with tiny leaves and white mottling up the center of each main stem. Really easy to grow. Each plant is around 8-10" tall with several branches.
Everyone is supposed to have Good Luck growing this plant! The architectural candelabra-like form is accented by the thick upright growing, green and whitish-green variegated, triangular stems.

Gardening facts about Euphorbia lactea plant

How to Grow Euphorbia lactea

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in summer
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Euphorbia for your garden

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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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

More Options

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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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
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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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