The commonly-called pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) is a member of the Euphorbia family. Another common name for the pencil cactus is milk bush due to the milky white, irritating sap or latex the plant releases when the stems are broken. Though it is a succulent and not a true cactus, Pencil is an excellent cactus houseplant variety that provides a distinctive shape within an indoor landscape.
About the Pencil Cactus Plant
Very Striking, indigenous succulent shrub.
In a healthy greenhouse habitat, the pencil cactus can grow up to 9m high and it's not uncommon for a houseplant variety to grow over 1.8m tall. The plants have slender, slightly toothed stems without any foliage growth. The name derives from the branches, which are about the diameter of a pencil. When new branches sprout, the end of the branch can be tinted slightly pink and tiny leaves may appear. These leaves will disappear once the branch matures. Because the plant is so easy to care for and can grow to such extreme heights, they are more valued for their novelty than their sheer beauty.
Ideal Growing Conditions Pencil cacti are easy to grow indoors, and they require little maintenance. These tips will help you ensure a healthy, thriving houseplant.
• Sunlight. The pencil cactus prefers bright, full sun. A sunny windowsill is a perfect location for this plant. It thrives with mild, warm temperatures, ranging from 18 to 21 degrees Celsius. Temperatures around the plant should not drop below 10.
• Water. The watering care for this succulent is very easy. It only needs water every two to three weeks in the summer, and no water is needed in the winter. In the fall and spring, reduce watering to every month.
• Soil. Make sure the soil is gritty and well-draining. Any excess moisture needs to drain or be able to evaporate otherwise you risk root rot.
• Food. Feed your pencil cactus with a controlled-release fertiliser at the beginning of the growing season or weekly with a weak liquid solution. Use a balanced 20-20-20 fertiliser at one-quarter strength on mature plants and fertiliser with less nitrogen on young plants.
Pencil Cactus Safety Precautions
When handling a pencil cactus, take safety measures to avoid any contact with the sap. Gardening gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection is recommended. The toxin in the sap can cause an anaphylactic reaction in people who are allergic. While this is often cleared up with an antihistamine, occasionally more severe reactions can occur. Take particular care with this plant if you have small children or pets in the household.
Prefer direct sun to bright light.
Allow soil to dry out before next watering.
Indigenous.
Waterwise.
Toxic.