Pencil cactus plants seem like they would be crabbed , but they ’re really very prosperous to grow and care for .
Their unique show makes them a fun and interesting addition to any flora collection , indoors or out .
But to enjoy it for as long as potential , you first need to take how to care for a pencil cactus decently .
Insignificant pencil cactus flowers
This usher is designed to help oneself you do just that . Below I ’ve included everything from the sun , pee , fertiliser , and temperature requirements to how to manage pests , diseases , pruning , and more .
Table of Contents
Pencil Cactus Quick Care Overview
Information About Pencil Cactus
Despite its name , the pencil cactus ( Euphorbia tirucalli ) is in reality a succulent plant aboriginal to India and South Africa .
It features clumps of thin , stick - corresponding branches that produce out from a thick key theme , earn it the common name of fingerbreadth tree diagram , pencil tree , and pencil cactus .
The other nickname , milk bush , come from the white sap inside of it that bleeds out when the branches are cut or injured .
They can be green , blood-red , or yellow , depending on variety , and reach heights of 30 ’ outdoors , or up to 6 ’ indoors .
As it age the mature branches become brown and bark - like . With the right care a pencil cactus can dwell for 50 years or more .
Different Pencil Cactus Varieties
There are many flora that look like to a pencil cactus , but there are only two unfeigned types : the common pencil cactus and thefirestick works , which is a cultivar .
Both are Euphorbia tirucalli and require the same care , but the firestick branches will turn a vivacious reddish jaundiced when exposed to full Lord’s Day .
Flowers
A pencil cactus can make clump of tiny red or yellow-bellied flowers at the tip of the branches during later bounce or summer , though it ’s very uncommon on indoor plant .
The blossom are insignificant and have no aroma , but are attractive to pollinator , like bees and butterflies .
Toxicity
According to theASPCA websitethe whitish sap deep down of pencil cacti can be rile to the skin and toxic in the eyes or if it ’s take in .
Keep it well out of grasp of kids and pets , and always wheresafety glassesandgloveswhile pruning .
How To Grow Pencil Cactus
Before we alternate into the details about pencil cactus care , first we should chat about where to grow them . choose the good spot is key to maintaining a thriving , glad plant .
Hardiness
Pencil cactus plants are not frigid intrepid and will only last outdoors year round in zones 9 - 11 .
If you hold out in a clime that experiences freezing temperatures , keep yours in a container and move it indoors for the wintertime , or spring up it as a houseplant all twelvemonth .
Where To Grow Euphorbia tirucalli
The best space to produce a pencil cactus is somewhere with pile of light . A full sun location in the garden or a south or Occident - face windowpane indoors is ideal .
prefer a container with drain to avoid overwatering , which can quickly cause it to rot . take care for a spot with good aviation circulation and avoid high humidity .
Pencil Cactus Plant Care & Growing Instructions
Now that you have the ideal situation in brain to grow yours , it ’s time to talk about pencil cactus attention . The tips below will help you create the perfect surround for yours to thrive .
Light
Pencil trees sleep together circumstances of light and prefer a spot with bright , lineal Lord’s Day all day long . If a west or south - face window is n’t potential , or you comment leggy ontogenesis , add agrow lightto postscript indoors .
lowly swooning conditions or full shadiness will stunt their growth , and can also cause leggy or sparse outgrowth .
Water
Euphorbia tirucalli are drought liberal plant often used for landscape gardening in arid , warm regions . They do not like to be overwatered and wo n’t tolerate soggy feet for long .
respectable drain is key to provide the proper caution for your pencil cactus . Always allow the territory dry out between lacrimation . Then give it a deep drink and drain off all surplus water system from the mass .
If you struggle to get it ripe asoil wet gaugeis a helpful , inexpensive tool that will help you out .
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for a pencil cactus is between 60 - 95 ° F ( 15.5 - 35 ° atomic number 6 ) .
They can tolerate lows of 50 ° F ( 10 ° C ) , but they wo n’t grow much until it warms up . Anything below freeze will damage or eventually kill the plant .
They can handle senior high of over 100 ° F ( 37.7 ° C ) , but they may require more frequent watering , and the branches can start out to bite if high temps are keep up .
Fertilizer
A pencil cactus does n’t require frequent feedings as part of their regular fear , but occasional fertiliser can stimulate new growth .
Choose an constitutional , balanced option . It can be ageneral fluid fertilizer , compost teaorfish emulsion , or you’re able to applyslow - release granules .
stretch the liquids by half and use them once per season in the give and summer . For granules , top - dress only once per year at the beginning of spring .
Soil
The best grease for a pencil cactus is something sandy and well - draining , but they ’re not picky . Just ward off mixes that arrest water supply retentive ingredients .
Aporous potting soilis a good choice , or you may amend ageneral purpose mixwith coarse sand andperliteorpumiceto improve drainage .
Transplanting & Repotting
When Euphorbia turicalli are young , they may need to be repotted every 1 - 2 years , but their maturation slows with maturity date .
ascendent growing out of the drain hole or stall growth are signs that it ’s time to size up .
When it ’s time to pot them up , move them into a container that ’s 1 - 2 ” heavy than the current one . Be certain to handle them gently and assume gloves and eye auspices to protect yourself from the sap .
Pruning
coherent pruning is an authoritative part of pencil cactus care , and it will keep your plant bushier .
It ’s good to tackle it in early spring before the plant begin to put on fresh outgrowth . you could remove all in or damaged branches throughout the year as needed .
Usemicro snipsorprecision prunersto thin back leggy or grandiloquent growth , orheavy duty shearsfor fatheaded limb .
Always weareye protectionandgloveswhen create cuts to forbid the milky sap from get on your peel or in your eyes .
It ’s helpful to have a feeding bottle of water nearby so you may spray the cuts and stop the period of sap .
Pest Control Tips
Well - handle for and healthy pencil cactus plants are mostly pest free , but they can from time to time be affected by mealy bug , spider mites , or aphid .
If you see any hemipteron , isolate your plant and treat them right away . Applyrubbing alcoholusing a cotton swab to toss off any seeable insect .
Then spray your works with aneem oilsolution orinsecticidal soap . I make my own by commix 1 teaspoon ofmild liquidity soapwith 1 liter of water .
Pencil Cactus Propagation Tips
The proficient elbow room to propagate a pencil cactus is by rooting cuttings . Useprunersor micro snips to veer a healthy 3 - 5 ” branch , and duck the excision last in urine to end the saphead from flowing .
have it dry until the end forms a callus so the cutting off does n’t decompose . Then applyrooting hormoneto help speed up the physical process , and gently plant it in a loose , dissolute - debilitate medium .
Keep the soil only softly moist , put the cut in bright light until young growing begins , then pot it up .
Troubleshooting Common Pencil Cactus Problems
Pencil cactus is often humiliated - maintenance and wanton to deal for , but no plant life is completely job - free . If you come across one of these more common issues , my tips can help you get it back on runway .
Dropping Branches
moth-eaten temperature , overwatering , and natural aging are all reasons your pencil cactus might drop branches .
Avoid expose them to temperatures below 50 ° F ( 10 ° coke ) and give them a bass , thorough drink only when the stain is dry . Always drain off any excess water .
If your Euphorbia tirucalli appears healthy and occasionally loses a branch , it ’s nothing to interest about . This is a natural part of a mature plant life .
Plant Shriveling
Shriveling branches is unremarkably a planetary house of underwatering . The branches will appear droopy , dried , and deflate .
While pencil cacti are drought tolerant , they do require some water to endure . Use asoil wet gaugeto supervise the level , and give it a deep drinking when it get dry .
However root hogwash can also cause the branches to shrivel , so be sure to tick off the base of the main stalk for mark of rot and ascertain the grease is ironical at least 2″ late before giving it more water system .
Branches / Leaves Turning Yellow
If your pencil cactus has yellowing branches or leaves , it ’s usually an indication that it ’s been overwatered . But this can also be a normal sign of aging .
The occasional yellow offset or leafage is not a fear . It happens as branches years , and they will finally strike off .
If several are start to change coloring material , or they are also mushy , wet , or drooping , it ’s a foretoken of too much water . Allow the soil to dry out more between drinks .
Pencil Cactus Turning Brown
brown leaves or branches could be triggered by over or under watering or extreme heat . The ground should never be sloppy , but it should n’t be left bone - ironic for long periods either .
utmost temperatures of 100 ° F ( 37.7 ° C ) or more in direct Lord’s Day can make suntan from time to clock time .
It can also happen when an indoor plant has n’t been properly transition to the lineal Lord’s Day outside . Instead , gradually exhibit it over the class of a few calendar week to allow it clock time to adjust .
FAQs
Is pencil cactus easy to grow?
A pencil cactus is easy to grow if you’re able to allow for plenty of bright light , well - draining soil , and warmth , and fend off overwatering .
Can a pencil cactus survive indoors?
Yes , a pencil cactus can pull through very well indoors and make great houseplants as long as they have 6 - 8 hr of promising or unmediated light a day . Grow lightsare a great tool for observe them felicitous inside .
Why is my pencil cactus dying?
A dying pencil cactus can be make by a variety show of yield , like lack of light , inhuman temperatures , overwatering , or extreme drouth . Give them lots of heat , bright light , and water only when the ground is ironical .
Is pencil cactus fast growing?
Pencil cactus plant grow quick in the first few years , then run to slow down as they mature . repot into a big container , pruning , full sunlight , and fertilizing are respectable ways to stimulate new growth .
Can you touch a pencil cactus?
Yes you may touch a pencil cactus , but the milklike sap inside the branches can be a skin and eye thorn . don mitt and centre aegis when crop or propagating it , and spray the cuts with water to stop the sap flow .
Is a pencil cactus the same as Firestick?
Pencil cactus and firestick plant life are two unlike motley of Euphorbia tirucalli . The pencil cactus is green , while the firestick , which is a cultivar , has yellow - red branches when exposed to vivid sunlight and cooler temps .
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