Low Maintenance
Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Direct Light)
Below Average Watering Needs
Mature Height 6-15 Feet

This flashy succulent will brighten up your home with its pencil-like stems that can range in color from orange, red, yellow or green, depending on the season. The plant is also known as Fire Sticks or Stick on Fire, because its stems turn a fire-red color during colder months. Because it is a succulent, it requires minimal care to be happy. This is a great plant for beginners.

Best Locations For Growing Pencil Cactus

Your Pencil Cactus will thrive in a sunroom, porch or living room. Just make sure it gets sufficient light, or else it will have trouble growing. This plant is mildly toxic to humans, cats and dogs, so keep it away from pets and children.

Pencil Cactus Sunlight Requirements

Indoors, your Pencil Cactus will need a lot of bright light to survive. It will do best in a south-facing window, where it can get as much sunlight as possible. East- and west-facing windows will also work. Try to make sure your Pencil Cactus gets at least 5-6 hours of sunlight each day. If you don’t have a suitable location that can provide enough light, use a grow light for your Pencil Cactus.

Pencil Cactus Care

The sap of this plant is toxic and can cause severe irritation to the skin, so it’s important to take care when handling the plant and use gloves. This plant is relatively easy to care for and most die from too much care or overwatering.

Watering Pencil Cactus

The Pencil Cactus is highly adapted to dry weather conditions, so you don’t need to water it often. If you live in a dry environment, try watering it every 7-10 days in the summer and every 10-14 days in the cooler months. If you live in a more humid environment, you may need to cut back on this watering schedule. To know for sure if it is time to water, simply check the soil. The top inch should be dry before you water. Water deeply, but don’t let your plant sit in wet soil because it can lead to root rot.

If you notice that your plant has shriveled leaves, it is likely due to under-watering. Give it a good drink and it should perk up within a day or two. Overwatering can lead to mushy leaves. Cut back on watering and allow your plant to fully dry out.

Feeding Pencil Cactus

Feed your Pencil Cactus with a fertilizer diluted to half the manufacturer’s recommended strength monthly.

Pencil Cactus Information

Light Exposure: Bright Direct Light

Care Requirements: Easy

Watering Requirements: Below Average - Let the soil dry completely, then, water deeply.

Pet Friendly: No

Kid Friendly: No

Air Purifier: Moderate

Habit: Clumping

Growth Rate: Fast

Mature Height: 6-15 feet

Mature Spread: 3-5 feet

Flowering: Yes

Flower Color(s): Yellow

Flower Shade/Description: Yellow

Fragrant: No

Foliage Type:

Foliage Color(s): Red, Yellow

Foliage Description: Mostly Yellow In The Summer, with Warm Red Tones Emerging As Temperatures Cool

Temperature: 65° - 70°F (18° - 21°C)

Humidity: Low

Common Name: Pencil Cactus

Other Name(s): Fire Sticks, Stick On Fire, Red Pencil Tree, Milk Bush, Finger Tree

Scientific Name: Euphorbia tirucalli 'Rosea'

Plant Type: House Plant

SKU:: EUPFIP35

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

For more detailed information, please click here.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.

We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location

Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.

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Pencil Cactus