

Then water thoroughly until it drains out the bottom, and discard all excess. It does not do well with soggy soil or wet feet, so wait until the medium is dry at least 2” down. The best way to care for a firestick plant is to allow it to dry completely between drinks. If you have trouble providing enough from a natural source, a grow light is a great way to supplement. Turn the plant once a month to have balanced color and growth. Indoors, provide it with bright light for at least 8 hours a day.Ī south-facing window is best, but east or west can also work, the color just won’t be as prominent.

#PENCIL STICK CACTUS FULL#
Give your Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks of Fire’ full sun outdoors to help trigger the vibrant red color. These tips will help you learn what it takes to keep them healthy and happy year after year. Now that you know the best locations to grow them, let’s talk about firestick plant care. Any pot with drainage is fine.Ĭolorful firestick plant growing in the landscape Firestick Plant Care & Growing Instructions In warm climates that stay above 30☏, they can be planted in the ground, and remain outdoors year round.įor colder areas it’s best to keep them in containers as houseplants, so they can be moved inside when temperatures drop. They don’t do well with excess moisture, and require lots of light to get the bright color. The best location to grow a firestick plant is somewhere very sunny and dry. They can tolerate lows of 30☏ for short periods, but will suffer and die in prolonged frost or freezing weather. It can only survive outside year round in the warmest growing zones of 10+.

Sticks of fire is not a frost hardy plant. Choosing a good spot can make them easy and low-maintenance.
#PENCIL STICK CACTUS HOW TO#
How To Grow Firestick Plantīefore we talk about how to care for a firestick plant, first we should discuss the ideal location. For more information about the toxicity, check out the ASPCA website. If you’re concerned, then keep it out of reach of pets and children.
#PENCIL STICK CACTUS SKIN#
It can cause digestive upset when ingested, and also has a milky white sap that can be a skin and eye irritant on contact.Īlways wear gloves and eye protection when handling the plant, and be sure to thoroughly wash your hands and any tools that come in contact with the sap. The firestick plant is toxic to both humans and animals. It’s possible for them to grow up to 30’ tall in the right climate outdoors, but most indoor specimens reach 6-8’ at most. Small leaves grow and then fall off quickly, leaving brightly colored bare stick-like branches behind.Īs they mature, the base of the trunk develops a woody, brown appearance, and bark-like texture. The common name comes from the pencil-thin branches that turn bright red in the fall and winter, making them look they are on fire. The firestick plant, or Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks of Fire’ cultivar, also commonly called a red pencil tree, is a succulent native to Africa. Small yellow clusters, blooms fall-springĪllow soil to dry between waterings, do not overwater Firestick Plant Care & Growing Instructionsįirestick Plant Quick Care Overview Scientific name:įirestick Plant, Sticks of Fire, Red Pencil Tree.
