Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'

Also Known As

Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks'
Euphorbia tirucalli 'Rosea'
Euphorbia tirucalli var. rosea
Euphorbia tirucalli var.rosea
Euphorbia tirucallii
Euphorbia tirucallii 'Fire Sticks'
Fire Sticks Pencil Cactus
Firesticks Pencil Cactus
Indian Tree Spurge
Milk Bush
Naked Lady
Pencil Stick
Red Pencil Tree
Sticks on Fire

Plant type

tree, shrub, cactus / succulent

size

H: 15'-30'
W: 7'-12'

planting zones

9a-12

More Options

Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire' plant details

Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire' is an evergreen cactus / succulent, shrub or tree with apricot, bronze, chartreuse, gold, green, pink and red foliage. In winter flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - mostly shade 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 'Sticks on Fire'

Plant type: cactus / succulent, shrub or tree
Plant family: euphorbiaceae
Foliage: evergreen apricot, bronze, chartreuse, gold, green, pink and red
Mature size: 7 FT - 12 FT - wide, 15 FT - 30 FT - tall
Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, houseplant, red stems, tropical-looking, year round interest, yellow stems

GROWING CONDITIONS for Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'

USDA Zones: 9a - 12
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat
Soil needs: average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Commonly called 'Sticks on Fire", this S. African shrub produces very few leaves and when it does they are quite small. The fleshy narrow multibranched stems are sort of yellow-green, but they take on reddish tones with cool temps. Protect from frost.

By: Avant Gardens

Euphorbia tirucali rosea ‘Firesticks’, commonly called Red Pencil Tree, is a striking, upright, evergreen succulent shrub that demands to be seen! This slow grower has up-reaching, pencil like branches that glow a gorgeous golden red, with the lower branches showing more lime green. The two tone effect is very stunning. As summer progresses, the branches tend to fade to yellow, before reverting back to their amazing golden red color in fall and winter. Cool temperatures, and well as full sun conditions will bring out the best color in the plant. This variety usually maxes out around 8 to 10 feet tall.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

(All colder climates outdoors summer, winter indoors as houseplant.) Known by many names including Pencil Tree makes a handsome companion to our cascading Rhipsalis Pencil Plant or any of our hen and chicks or sedums. Fires Sticks are easy to grow, water only when dry and give good drainage. Outdoors in the above zones in full sun. Northern climates outdoors in summer then site near a window as direct sunlight will help produce the shades of red, pink and orange. Tiny leaves appear here and there along the stems and in winter clusters of flowers appear along stem tips and nodes.

By: Mini Forest By Sky

A native of arid South Africa, this striking succulent is an ideal specimen plant for containers. Multiple fire-red stems, resembling small pencils or sticks, grow from the base of the plant. The red stems often show shades of pink, orange or yellow and the color is more vivid during the cooler months and when grown in bright sun. Grow in full sun and well-drained cactus soil. 'Firesticks' is an excellent choice for a succulent garden because of its unique color and unusual form.

By: Logee's Plants for Home & Garden

Euphorbia triucalli 'Rosea' has many branched succulent stems turning a lovely red color when exposed to full sun. Easy care houseplant.

By: Accents for Home and Garden

Chartreuse to yellow new growth matures to a fiery orange on this great selection of the popular Pencil Cactus. Needs high-light to direct sun for the best color. An excellent choice to add contrasting form, and texture to the tropical garden or mixed containers.