Pencil Cactus / Euphorbia Tirucalli

Pencil Cactus Plant / Euphorbia Tirucalli

Having a Pencil cactus plant, also known as Milk bush or firestick plant, in your garden can help you realize your dream of housing a small tree or succulent shrub with notable features like pencil-like stems and white milky latex sap. Its scientific name is Euphorbia Tirucalli, which offers minimalist looks, easy care, and drought resistance, making it the least demanding and ideal for your gardens. Another name of Pencil cactus is Indian Tree Spurge, or Pencil Tree, or Sticks on fire. It brings the right sculptural element to your place, along with other benefits

How to Care for and Grow a Pencil Cactus Plant?

If you’re confused about how to take care of and growing conditions of the Pencil cactus plant, check out the following key points:

• Soil
  Pencil Cactus can grow fast under favorable conditions, such as well-draining soil to eliminate moisture retention around its roots. So, you can go for any cactus soil mix that is light and well-draining at the same time.
• Water
  Watering your Euphorbia Tirucalli is never a difficulty, as it requires watering after two to three weeks only. You must water it only if its soil starts to feel dry. However, you must eliminate the chances of overwatering, which creates root damage.
• Light Requirements: If you’re wondering whether pencil cactus needs direct sunlight? 
  Then here you go. It requires bright and direct sunlight for proper plant growth. So, you can keep it in full sun outdoors or a south or west-facing window when placed indoors, offering at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Temperatures and Humidity
  Your Pencil Cactus can withstand the temperature range of 18 to 30 degrees Celsius. However, it is not a frost-tolerant plant, and hence, you must prevent it from sudden temperature drops. However, when it comes to humidity, it requires the lowest humidity level, and hence, you never have to mist it.
• Pest
  Pencil Cactus is a relatively pest-tolerant plant, but it can occasionally attract several common pests. So, you must go ahead with high-quality pesticides for their proper growth and elimination of common pests.
• Fertilizer
  Fertilizing your Euphorbia Tirucalli is required only during the growing season, and that too sparingly. So, you can use a liquid fertilizer in diluted form once a month or every month and a half, or Vermicompost is enough.
• Pruning & Maintenance
  Pruning your Pencil Cactus is important to maintain its shape and size of the plant in your garden. So, you can remove the dead branches and then dispose of the clippings properly.

Key Features and Benefits of Pencil Cactus Plant / Euphorbia Tirucalli

Some of the top features and best advantages of the Pencil Cactus plant, or Euphorbia Tirucalli, are:

• Unique Looks
  Your Euphorbia Tirucalli plant has unique pencil-like stems with shades of yellow, orange, or red, and hence is called firestick plant or sticks on fire plant. Its narrow and tiny leaves fall off quickly, leaving the smooth and rubbery branches with a milky sap.
• Adaptability
  Pencil Cactus is a highly adaptable plant due to its high drought tolerance and succulent nature. So, it can adapt to the toughest landscapes with reduced caring needs.
• For Beginners
  Go ahead with this Pencil Cactus even if you’re a beginner in gardening. It is the least demanding plant with no strict watering, fertilization, or temperature requirements that need to be taken care of mandatorily.
• Uses
  It is an amazing succulent that can be used in different gardens to enhance its contemporary flair. While it is a great houseplant, it is also used for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine.
• Vastu Importance
  As per Vastu Shastra, your Euphorbia Tirucalli or Pencil Cactus plant should never be placed indoors, as it can create stress and discord. Its sharp spines emit negative energy indoors, and hence it should be placed outdoors near entrances to protect your place from negative energies.
• Air Purification
  When it comes to air purification, your Pencil Cactus never disappoints, as the plant can absorb the toxins in the air. Hence, you get a healthier atmosphere with this plant at your place.

So, how about having the amazing Pencil Cactus plant in your garden from Upjau, the best online plant nursery in India? You don’t have to worry about its care and maintenance as it is highly drought-resistant and temperature-tolerant. The benefits of this stunning and visually striking plant make it the rightful addition to your gardens.

FAQs

Q. Is Cactus a lucky plant?
A. The flowering cactus plants are considered lucky.

Q. Does Pencil Cactus need full sun?
A. Bright indirect light is great for Pencil cacti, however, they can take full and direct sunlight during early morning for 6 hours, or else the temperature will scorch the leaves.

Q. Is Pencil Cactus rare?
A. No, it is not a rare plant and is a common succulent available.