Firesticks

Euphorbia tirucalli

Common Name: Firesticks; Pencil Cactus; Milk Bush; Indian Tree Bush

This succulent tree has bright green, long, pencil-thin stems that branch as it grows and when exposed to sunlight, these stems turn beautiful sunset shades of yellow to red, giving it the common name “firesticks”.

To encourage this signature orange coloring, make sure there is access to mostly direct light. Not suited for low-light conditions. 

The Pencil Cactus has low water requirements – every 1-2 weeks allowing soil to dry out between waterings. If dropping individual branches, the plant is being overwatered. A pot with a drainage hole is very helpful. 

It is normal for the small, slender leaves to fall off quickly as the plant matures, which is when it also starts producing tiny yellow flowers. 

Be very careful when handling this plant! The stems break easily and the milky sap may cause irritation to skin and eyes. Use gloves.