Pencil cactus plants look like they would be fussy, but they’re actually very easy to grow and care for.
Their unique appearance makes them a fun and interesting addition to any plant collection, indoors or out.
But to enjoy it for as long as possible, you first need to learn how to care for a pencil cactus properly.
This guide is designed to help you do just that. Below I’ve included everything from the sun, water, fertilizer, and temperature requirements to how to manage pests, diseases, pruning, and more.
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Despite its name, the pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) is actually a succulent plant native to India and South Africa.
It features clumps of thin, stick-like branches that grow out from a thick central stem, earning it the common names of finger tree, pencil tree, and pencil cactus.
The other nickname, milk bush, comes from the white sap inside of it that bleeds out when the branches are cut or injured.
They can be green, red, or yellow, depending on variety, and reach heights of 30’ outdoors, or up to 6’ indoors.
As it ages the mature branches become brown and bark-like. With the right care a pencil cactus can live for 50 years or more.
There are many plants that look similar to a pencil cactus, but there are only two true types: the common pencil cactus and the firestick plant, which is a cultivar.
Both are Euphorbia tirucalli and require the same care, but the firestick branches will turn a vibrant reddish yellow when exposed to full sun.
A pencil cactus can produce clusters of tiny red or yellow flowers at the tips of the branches during late spring or summer, though it’s very uncommon on indoor plants.
The blossoms are insignificant and have no aroma, but are attractive to pollinators, like bees and
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