General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Tree
Cactus/Succulent
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 9a -6.7 °C (20 °F) to -3.9 °C (25 °F)
Plant Height: Up to 8-15 feet
Plant Spread: Up to 4-6 feet
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Deciduous
Flowers: 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: Patio/Ornamental/Small Tree
Xeriscapic
Dynamic Accumulator: B (Boron)
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Toxicity: Leaves are poisonous
Roots are poisonous
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
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: With thorns/spines/prickles/teeth
Child plants: one child plant

Image
Common names
  • African Milk Tree
  • Euphorbia
  • Candelabra Cactus
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Euphorbia trigona
  • Synonym: Euphorbia trigona f. rubra

Photo Gallery
Location: my garden, Florida
Date: 2018-11-19
Grown a foot in 6 months!
Location: Sacramento CA. @ The Prickly Pear
Date: 12/19/21
Location: Botanic Garden La Concepcion Malaga
Date: 2017-03-07
Location: Home
Date: 2011-10-21
Location: central Illinois - Washington Park Botanical Garden
Date: 2014-03-22
Location: my garden, Florida
Date: 2018-07-03
Photo by Spitz
Photo by Akajou
Location: Central Texas
Date: 2016-04-09

Photo courtesy of Kevin Morykwas, Steve's Leaves, Inc.
Photo by sedumzz
Location: Home
Date: 2011-10-21
Markings on stem surfaces of E. trigona f. rubra
Location: Winter Springs, FL zone 9b
Date: 2016-10-15
Photo by Plantomaniac08
Photo by ljones26

Date: 2020-09-12

Date: 2014-04-03
This specimen continues to grow taller
This plant is tagged in:
Image Image

Comments:
  • Posted by SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Oct 21, 2011 7:46 AM concerning plant:
    The milky sap of Euphorbias is toxic to a greater or lesser degree and can be a skin and eye irritant. Handle with caution.
  • Posted by sunkissed (Central Florida - Zone 9b) on Oct 15, 2016 12:12 PM concerning plant:
    This plant stayed deeper red on a shady porch, but wasn't growing. I moved it outside where it gets Florida's rain and filtered sun and it grew a good eight inches in just four months. The color is greener on new growth, but seems to turn red as it gets older. I do take it inside when temps dip below 40.
Plant Events from our members
hlutzow On October 12, 2019 Obtained plant
cuttings
MySecretIslandGarden On February 4, 2023 Transplanted
Transplanted one that I started from the momma plant into a large pot with the blue chalksticks
MySecretIslandGarden On August 1, 2022 Miscellaneous Event
Exhibiting new growth.
MySecretIslandGarden On July 30, 2022 Miscellaneous Event
New growth emerging on the top
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