Pencil Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks') in the Euphorbias Database

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit:	Shrub Cactus/Succulent
Life cycle:	Perennial
Sun Requirements:	Full Sun
Minimum cold hardiness:	Zone 10a -1.1 °C (30 °F) to +1.7 °C (35 °F)
Plant Height:	4-8 feet
Plant Spread:	3-5 feet
Flowers:	Inconspicuous Other: In the genus Euphorbia, the flowers are reduced in size and aggregated into a cluster of flowers called a cyathium (plural cyathia). This feature is present in every species of the genus Euphorbia but nowhere else in the plant kingdom.
Suitable Locations:	Xeriscapic
Uses:	Will Naturalize
Dynamic Accumulator:	B (Boron)
Resistances:	Drought tolerant
Toxicity:	Other: All members of the genus Euphorbia produce a milky sap called latex that is toxic and can range from a mild irritant to very poisonous.
Propagation: Other methods:	Cuttings: Stem Cuttings: Tip
Containers:	Suitable in 3 gallon or larger Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous:	Tolerates poor soil

Common names

Pencil Cactus
Firesticks
Euphorbia
Milk Bush

Also sold as:

'Sticks on Fire'
Euphorbia tirucalli var. rosea

Photo Gallery

Location: My garden in SoCal.
Date: 2018-12-21
The south-facing side of my firesticks plant is very colorful whe

Uploaded by _Bleu_

Location: My garden in Tampa, Florida
Date: 2023-03-02

Uploaded by GigiAdeniumPlumeria

Location: Baja California
Date: 2012-09-08

Uploaded by Baja_Costero

Uploaded by Baja_Costero

Location: Oceanside, California
Date: 2019-05-12

Uploaded by carlysuko

Location: Gause, Texas
Date: September 19, 2019
2nd season specimen from cutting rooted in water. In background

Uploaded by Peggy8b

Uploaded by Baja_Costero

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Date: 2011-12-19
Rosea is bright orange red as the days turn colder and shorter. G

Uploaded by Aguane

Location: Mt Penang Botanical Gardens, Kariong, N.S.W., Australia
Date: 2018-05-03

Uploaded by carolem

Uploaded by Joy

Uploaded by Paul2032

Uploaded by mcvansoest

Uploaded by carolem

Location: Central Texas
Date: 2018-04-03

Uploaded by Esperanza

Location: DISCLAIMER: This is an old photo from an old phone. I don't know why, but the photos look "deep fried". sorry about that.

Uploaded by sedumzz

Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2013-02-13

Uploaded by plantladylin

Location: MOBOT - St Louis
Date: 2013-02-26

Uploaded by jmorth

Uploaded by LizDTM

Uploaded by sedumzz

Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Date: January 2, 2010
The tips turn red when exposed to cold.

Uploaded by Mangogirl

Uploaded by Joy

Uploaded by Hamwild

Uploaded by Paul2032

Location: Los Angeles Aboretum, Arcadia, California
Date: 2013-11-03

Uploaded by Kelli

Location: Baja California
Date: 2020-09-24

Uploaded by Baja_Costero

Location: Southwest Florida
Date: January 21, 2012
This should get plenty of sun to develop the color.

Uploaded by Dutchlady1

Location: north central Texas
Date: 2015-06-01
Labeled as 'Firesticks' when acquired.

Uploaded by needrain

Uploaded by Paul2032

Uploaded by Paul2032

Location: MOBOT, St Louis
Date: 2011-08-09

Uploaded by jmorth

Location: Roof top garden
Date: 2024-04-10

Uploaded by Norzdic

Location: Roof top garden
Date: 2024-03-29

Uploaded by Norzdic

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Date: 2011-12-19
Beginnings of new spikes

Uploaded by Aguane

Uploaded by ljones26

Uploaded by sedumzz

Location: Columbia, SC
Date: 2015-07-06
Euphorbia Firesticks

Uploaded by Deebie

Uploaded by Paul2032

Uploaded by Paul2032

Location: Thomson,Ga.
Date: 2012-10-12
I rooted these 2 plants from 2 Y shaped cuttings the summer befor

Uploaded by jojoe

Location: Potohar, Punjab.
Date: 2013-01-18

Uploaded by KAMasud

Location: AZ
Date: Spring
The more sun this one gets the more colors...green, yellow. orang

Uploaded by cocoajuno

Uploaded by Plantomaniac08

Uploaded by Paul2032

Uploaded by Paul2032

Uploaded by Paul2032

Location: My garden in N E Pa.
Date: 2015-09-03

Uploaded by treehugger

Uploaded by Paul2032

Uploaded by Paul2032

Photo Courtesy of Mountain Crest Gardens. Used with Permission.

Uploaded by Joy

Uploaded by Joy

Uploaded by ge1836

Uploaded by ge1836

Uploaded by Paul2032

Uploaded by Paul2032

Photo courtesy of Kevin Morykwas, Steve's Leaves, Inc.

Uploaded by Calif_Sue

Uploaded by Plantomaniac08

Location: central Illinois
Date: 2013-12-14

Uploaded by jmorth

This plant is tagged in:

Comments:

Posted by gardenfish (Arkansas - Zone 7b) on Nov 4, 2020 3:58 AM concerning plant:

Although I sometimes have issues with other Euphorbias, I find this one easy to grow, providing it's not over watered. Just give it plenty of sun in a spot sheltered from the wind and it grows well without having to fuss over it. I bought a tiny one in the Spring of 2019 and now in the Fall of 2020 it has quadrupled in size. The more sun it gets the brighter the coloring becomes.

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Posted by Baja_Costero (Baja California - Zone 11b) on Jan 19, 2019 3:24 PM concerning plant:

Colorful dwarf version of Pencil Tree (Euphorbia tirucalli) with orange stems. Like the green version of this plant, it grows pencil-like stems with small, ephemeral leaves at the tip. It may not flower in all locations.

Suitable for container culture. A reasonably large bush when allowed to grow in the ground. Tends to drop branches in the wind. Cold sensitive. Drought tolerant. May revert to the all-green form and grow to a much larger size. Avoid touching the sap, which is a potent irritant.

Reply to this comment
Posted by SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Feb 4, 2012 3:19 PM concerning plant:

The milky sap of this plant is extremely irritating to the skin and mucosa and possibly toxic. Contact with skin causes severe irritation, redness and a burning sensation; contact with the eyes may cause severe pain, and in some cases temporary blindness for several days. Symptoms may worsen over 12 hours. If eye contact occurs, seek medical treatment immediately.

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Plant Events from our members
LizDTM	On May 15, 2017	Bloomed Broken piece bloomed!
LizDTM	On April 28, 2017	Miscellaneous Event Piece broken off during saguaro removal. Allowed to callous for several days, then stuck into cactus mix.
LizDTM	On March 5, 2017	Transplanted
LizDTM	On March 4, 2017	Obtained plant Bought at Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Esperanza	On November 13, 2018	Miscellaneous Event 19 degrees was the low with 8 or more hours below freezing. Plants south and west positions showed no sign of freeze at all. This is much hardier than I suspected.

» Post your own event for this plant

Discussion Threads about this plant

Thread Title	Last Reply	Replies
Firestick plant by pattydavenport	Mar 17, 2020 10:32 PM	11

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Euphorbias Pencil Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks')

Euphorbias

Pencil Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks')