Euphorbia, Pencil Tree, Milkbush, Milk Bush, Finger Tree, Sticks of Fire 'Rosea'
Euphorbia tirucalli
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae (yoo-for-bee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Euphorbia (yoo-FOR-bee-uh) (Info) |
| Species: | tirucalli (tee-roo-KAL-ee) (Info) |
| Cultivar: | Rosea |
| Additional cultivar information: | (aka Firesticks) |
| Synonym: | Euphorbia rhipsaloides |
| Synonym: | Euphorbia viminalis |
Category:
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Deciduous
Foliage Color:
Orange/Apricot
Pink/Rose
Height:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Can be grown as an annual
Suitable for growing in containers
Danger:
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Red
Pale Yellow
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From herbaceous stem cuttings
Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Millbrook, Alabama
Ozark, Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Chandler, Arizona
Glendale, Arizona
Goodyear, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Tempe, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Berkeley, California
Brentwood, California
Carlsbad, California
Castro Valley, California
Chula Vista, California
Coalinga, California
El Cajon, California
Hayward, California
Huntington Beach, California
Lake Elsinore, California
Lakewood, California
Long Beach, California
Los Angeles, California
Mission Viejo, California
Reseda, California
San Bernardino, California
San Francisco, California
San Lorenzo, California
Santa Barbara, California
Solana Beach, California
Somis, California
Spring Valley, California (2 reports)
Walnut, California
Boca Raton, Florida
Cape Coral, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Melbourne Beach, Florida
Oldsmar, Florida
Ormond Beach, Florida
Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Venice, Florida
Lucedale, Mississippi
Las Vegas, Nevada
Cleveland, Ohio
Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Andrews, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Big Spring, Texas
Cleveland, Texas
Houston, Texas
Nacogdoches, Texas
Richmond, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Victoria, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Apr 7, 2018, Elsinore2 from Lake Elsinore, CA wrote: We live in zone 9b. We got down to 24-25 degrees this past winter and our fire sticks look amazing. We live on a hill on the edge of town with good drainage. |
| Positive | On May 8, 2015, azsilvia from Tempe, AZ (Zone 9b) wrote: Extremely heat tolerant, drought tolerant and pest free. This plant is toxic so plant it where children cannot reach it. In my area this plant colors up well in late fall through winter with red, orange, and yellow on the newest growth. The colors "fade" to green with the coming of summer heat and it's just an interesting green succulent. With time it can get over 8 feet tall with a woody trunk or stems. Blooms are insignificant. |
| Neutral | On Oct 11, 2014, nrwich from Peoria, AZ wrote: I'm trying to shape my Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'. Where do I clip the plant at? |
| Negative | On Dec 17, 2012, nativelyeager from Brooksville, FL wrote: In the FL Keys (where I lived for over 30 years until recently, and where I worked on conservation lands), 'pencil cactus', as we called it, when planted near a natural area, will root and 'take off' from just tiny stray pieces |
| Positive | On Jul 11, 2012, imagerep from Westlake Village, CA wrote: I get more positive comments from people on this plant than most others. Easy to propagate by just snipping and replanting however the new cutting does need good moisture (do not allow to dry out) to take root. After that it's very hard to kill this plant, drought tolerant, unless a hard freeze occurs for more than overnight. Easy to shape using pruners as I now have some looking bush-like and some tree-like, depending on location and the appearance i want to achieve. They also do well in pots.. BE CAREFUL handling by NOT touching your eyes after touching this plant! Intense burning of eyes will occur and I've heard of victims having to go to the hospital for this condition. As stated, winter and early spring in full sun will give an amazing deep red color and in summer will be light oran... read more |
| Neutral | On Aug 9, 2011, foxsfun from Huntington Beach, CA wrote: The plant was green with red tips, it has now turned white/cream colored. Our only guess is from too much water. Not sure if losing it. |
| Positive | On Jan 22, 2006, BayAreaTropics from Hayward, CA wrote: Sometimes slow to get going in ground.Then, after acclimated they grow more robustly.Great accent plant and i imagine a large number of them in a rock garden would be a traffic stopper.And not as much worry as regular pencil tree from the sap since you most likely won't be pruning the compact globular form of Firestick's. A bit more tender to cold also. I doubt it could be a 9a or 9b for very long. A 25 for sure would kill it. |
| Positive | On Feb 1, 2005, hanna1 from Castro Valley, CA (Zone 9a) wrote: Bright light/ Sun. to 6' or taller. Hardy to 32F. Water thoroughly when dry. considered rare red form of Pencil Cactus. Color is intense in cold winter months. Protect from frost. |
| Positive | On Mar 9, 2004, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: Great plant for Southern California... doesn't seem to grow anywhere near as large as the non red form- low growing shrub up to maximum of 4-6' tall. This plant is one of the most delicate of the Euphorbias in terms of releasing its gooey toxic sap. Just brushing against this species will usually break off a stem and it will ooze. I have gotten so much sap on me from moving these plants, yet never gotten any irritation (except for those few times I rubbed my eyes- ouch!!)- very individual reaction to Euphorbia saps.. some sensitive, some not. This plant HAS to be grown in full sun or it will often yellow or green up on you, so if you want the good color- sun. Cold makes it even redder. In spring the foliage comes out temporarily- small, soft, succulent red leaves. |
| Positive | On Aug 28, 2003, Happenstance from Northern California, CA wrote: Like all Euphorbia HANDLE WITH CARE, the latex/sap is dangerous and can cause skin rash, itching and general discomfort. |
| Positive | On Feb 15, 2003, EveM from Scottsdale, AZ wrote: Plant also called Firesticks. Beautiful red pencils. Native of South Africa. Allow to dry between waterings. |
