The three essential care tips for growing firesticks are bright light, sandy soil, and occasional watering. Firestick plants require between four and six hours of bright light daily. Grow firestick succulents in the sunniest spot in your backyard.
How do you take care of a firestick succulent?
Firestick plants need to dry out between watering. One of the worst things you can do is to over-water the plant. This can happen if you water the succulent when the soil is still moist.
What is a firestick succulent?
The firestick succulent is also named pencil cactus, stick cactus, fire plant, pencil plant, and ‘sticks on fire.’ Pictures of the firestick plant show how it gets its name.
Can you plant sticks on fire succulents in your yard?
If necessary, you can work in perlite to the planting area to improve drainage for your succulent ‘fiery sticks’ to thrive. Because firestick plants are ideal for rocky, infertile soil, they are suitable for rock gardens along with other types of succulents. Or, you can plant ‘sticks on fire’ in container gardens in your yard.
When to cut off dead branches from firestick succulents?
When new sprouts form in spring break off all dead branches. If the trunk is getting woody, pull the whole plant up and start another with a good clipping. Question: I live in Arizona, and I have a small firestick succulent that gets a lot of sun.
How do you care for a Firestick succulent?
Water: The house plant should be watered weekly during the growing season. Take care to provide well-drained soil and plenty of drainage holes in the container to avoid root rot. Cut back to monthly watering during the cooler months.
Why is my Firestick plant dying?
Why is my firestick plant dying? Usually, a pencil plant—just like cacti and succulents—will begin to die if you over-water it. Mushy stems, discolored foliage, and drooping growth are all signs of too much moisture in the roots. Follow the care tips for watering a firestick plant to prevent it from dying.
Is Firestick succulent poison?
Ingestion may cause irritation of the mouth and stomach accompanied by pain and diarrhea. This plant is classified by poison control centers as a chemical skin irritant. The botanical name of the plant is Euphorbia Tirucalli; other common names are firestick cactus, pencil tree, pencil cactus and milk bush.
How do you get rid of fire stick plants?
Spray the exposed trunk cut with a non-selective herbicide, such as a product containing approximately 25 percent glyphosate herbicide. Allow at least one week for the herbicide to travel to the roots and kill the entire root system.
Why is my Firestick cactus turning yellow?
Yellowing of pencil cactus occurs due to aging too. This is a natural process and the lower branches of the plant fall off. There's nothing you can do about it so you don't need to worry about this at all. Just let the plant live its life.
When should you repot a Firestick plant?
Repot your Firesticks every two to three years. This plant grows rather quickly, so they need to be repotted into a larger pot more often than other species of succulents. Before your repot Firesticks, make sure the soil is dry. Then gently remove the plant from its pot while wearing gloves and brush away the old soil.
How do you remove Euphorbia sap from skin?
For skin contact, take dry baking soda and sprinkle it on the affected area. Rub the baking soda all over the sap/affected area. This will cause the sap to begin to ball up in the baking soda, so that it may be more easily removed.
How do you treat Euphorbia sap in eyes?
Treatment for euphorbia is directed at rebalancing the pH in the eye, McVeigh said. Washing out the eye and using lubricants, topical antibiotics, eye patches and bandage contact lenses are the best options currently.
How poisonous is fire stick?
Pencil Cactus, aka, Euphorbia tirucalli Otherwise known as pencil cactus, firestick pencil cactus, sticks on fire, or milk bush, this Euphorbia succulent is classified by Pet Poison Hotline as mild to moderately toxic to cats, dogs, and even humans.
How do you take care of stick plants?
1:484:04GROWING PENCIL CACTUS: Dos & Donts - Care Tips and Propagation ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure to change the potting mix to up well draining soil regarding sunlight this needs fullMoreMake sure to change the potting mix to up well draining soil regarding sunlight this needs full sunlight and warmer temperatures for best growth. Then fertilizer requirement it's a succulent.
What does Firestick plant look like?
It is known by common names such as Sticks on Fire or Firesticks, Pencil cactus, and Pencil tree. Euphorbia Tirucalli has pencil-thin stems that turn a fire-red color during the colder months. The stems' color can range from red, orange, yellow and green depending on the season and temperature.
Can the Firestick plant blind you?
Even after it is dry, it can cause severe skin irritation and serious eye injury. Contact with the eyes results in light sensitivity, redness, swollen eyelids, blurred vision and even bleeding. Getting sap in your eyes can cause damage to the corneas and even blindness if not treated soon enough.
What is a firestick succulent?
The firestick succulent is also named pencil cactus, stick cactus, fire plant, pencil plant, and ‘sticks on fire.’. Pictures of the firestick plant show how it gets its name. The succulent has clumps of pencil-like stems exhibiting an orangey-red color that looks like it’s on fire. The firestick plant is a shrubby succulent in ...
How much sunlight do firestick plants need?
Grow your firestick plant in plenty of sunlight. Firestick plants require between four and six hours of bright light daily. Grow firestick succulents in the sunniest spot in your backyard. Plenty of sunlight and heat during summer turns the beautiful foliage yellow before it turns glowing red in the fall and winter.
How to propagate pencil cactus?
To propagate a pencil cactus, put on gloves and goggles and snip off a healthy stem. Dip the stem’s end in water to stop the sap from oozing.
What are the pests that can be found on firestick plants?
Houseplant pests that can affect firestick plants are mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. Thankfully, most pests stay away from these toxic pencil succulents. However, it’s good to be aware of the common signs of a plant bug infestation. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to remove pests from firestick plants.
What is the color of a firestick plant?
It is a very ornamental plant to decorate any garden or landscaped space with its stunning stem color. The firestick plant (pencil cactus or Euphorbia tirucalli) has green stems (left).
How thick are firestick cactus?
The shrubby succulent has small branches about 0.27” (7 mm) thick. Despite its common names (pencil cactus or firestick cactus), the pencil plant (firestick plant) isn’t a type of cactus. Unlike cacti, firestick plant grows small oval leaves. Firestick plants are not in the same botanical family of cacti. While firestick belongs to ...
Why are my firestick plants turning brown?
Brown pencil stems on a firestick plant are often the result of sunburn. Although the firestick plant needs up to six hours of sunlight daily, extreme sun can burn the leaves and stems, turning them brown. Give the pencil plant some shade if it’s getting too much direct sunlight.
How long should I let a red succulent dry out?
It brings height, color, and textural interest. Let it dry out for a couple of days between each watering. Since it is a vigorously growing plant, it will need more replanting than other succulents.
What color is a succulent in winter?
During the winter stress period, this succulent explodes with color. It glows almost fluorescent in shades of pink, coral, green, red, and orange. In areas where the night time temperatures begin to fall into the 40s, or near freezing, many of these plants begin to “stress” and this results in their rosy colors.
Why do you call fire sticks?
The color of the plant may be the reason for its name, but if you get its white sap on your skin, you will find another reason to call it "fire sticks.". It hurts! Since this succulent can develop a woody trunk, it might be advisable to replant the whole bush with a new cutting every three years.
Where are fire sticks native to?
They may also be native to other parts of the continent. They may also be native to the continent's surrounding islands and the Arabian peninsula.
Can you put a fire stick in a pot?
Answer: Confining a fire stick to a pot is like trying to maintain a redwood tree in a pot. A bigger pot may work. The good thing about fire sticks is you can start another potted plant with a healthy branch. Let the end of the cutting air dry for a couple of days and replant in a new pot of soil.
Is a fire stick succulent toxic?
The fire sticks succulent gets too big and is too toxic to have where kids or unknowing adults may break off a stem and get exposed to the sap. I am hearing eye irritation stories more and more, so watch the toddlers and curious youngsters when walking the neighborhood.
Can fire sticks grow in a tree?
Fire sticks grow forever and can eventually be tree-sized. If the plant is simply topped, growth is encouraged to become thick up and down the whole trunk. If the plant is too tall, rip it out and start a new cutting.
Soil Requirements
When growing the firesticks succulent, you should use fast/well draining succulent soil. Fast/well draining succulent soil will provide healthy growth and will also prevent root rot.
Pot Requirements
You should grow your firesticks succulent in the correct size succulent pots, and in succulent pots with a drainage hole. If you bought a 2 inch firesticks succulent then use a 2-3 inch size succulent pot. If you bought a 4 inch firesticks succulent then use a 4-5 inch one.
Light Requirements
You must give your firesticks succulent 6 hours of sunlight every single day. This is the perfect amount of sunlight/light for growing this succulent healthy and happy.
Most Common Growing Problems
To prevent overwatering, make sure to keep track of when was the last time you watered your firesticks succulent succulent. If your firesticks succulent succulent looks like it is rotting, or looks sad/unhealthy then root rot may have appeared. Root rot happens when you overwater, and you must take action immediately.
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Where do firestick succulents grow?
Indigenous to tropical eastern Africa where it often grows wild, it is usually planted for boundary demarcation but also as a live fence around compounds, shrines, ...
How to propagate firestick plants?
Firestick plants can be easily propagated through stem cuttings. Remember to wear gloves and goggles when taking the cuttings. Place the cutting in the open air for a week to form a callus (The healing tissue produced by plants to cover a wound resulting from a cut or other physical damage).
What is the sap of Euphorbia tirucalli?
Euphorbia tirucalli contains a white latex which is vesicant (causes blistering) and rubefacient (produces redness of the skin). The sap can cause serious injury including poisoning, severe caustic burns, blindness, ulcers on the cornea, even anaphylactic shock.
Why does E. tirucalli have no pests?
There is a tendency to believe that E. tirucalli has no pests and diseases because of its poisonous latex. However, a few pests can do the damage. An infestation by Botrytis spp. causes the plant stem and roots to rot especially in warm and humid conditions.
What is the name of the plant that repels rodents?
Gopher spurge, Eu phorbia lathyris, which has leaves with a white midrib and small green flowers, is reputed to repel burrowing rodents in the garden. The Mediterranean spurge, Euphorbia characias, grows to 3 feet or more, with erect woody stems, long linear leaves, and dense showy inflorescences of yellow flowers.
Can Euphorbia tirucalli survive?
Euphorbia tirucalli can survive in a wide range of habitats. It can grow under conditions in which most crops and other trees cannot grow like tropical arid areas with low rainfall, on poor eroded soils, saline soils. It cannot survive frost and low temperatures.
What is the name of the plant that grows on a firestick?
It is known by common names such as Sticks on Fire or Firesticks, Pencil cactus, and Pencil tree. Euphorbia Tirucalli has pencil-thin stems that turn a fire-red color during the colder months. The stems’ color can range from red, orange, yellow and green depending on the season and temperature. The plant can grow tall and tree-like, up to ...
How to keep a plant from getting sunburned?
In the shade the color stays mostly green. Before moving the plant outdoors or increasing the amount of sunlight it receives , it is better to acclimate the plant to prevent sunburn. This will help prevent sunburn or sun damage.
How to grow Euphorbia Tirucalli indoors?
Euphorbia Tirucalli needs plenty of sunlight to survive and thrive. When growing the plant indoors, choose the brightest area in the house to place your plant. Generally speaking, a plant like this that requires a lot of light will do well in a south facing window where it can get the most sun.
What is the best temperature for Euphorbia Tirucalli?
It can tolerate mild frost for a very short period of time. It does well in temperatures over 30 °F or -1.1 °C. It can tolerate temperatures below that but not for long periods of time.
When do Euphorbia Tirucalli bloom?
Euphorbia Tirucalli produces small clusters of yellow flowers on the top branches. These plants will bloom when they are ready or mature enough. There isn’t that much you can do to encourage blooms. Providing the proper care for the plant is enough and the plant will bloom when it is ready.
How to propagate Euphorbia Tirucalli?
Propagating Euphorbia Tirucalli. These plants are very easy to propagate from stem cuttings. One thing you need to know when obtaining cuttings from this plant is to protect your skin from the milky sap that the plant secretes.
Can Euphorbia tricalli grow in full sun?
Euphorbia Tirucalli grows best in full sun. Partial shade may be tolerated as long as the plant meets its sunlight requirement most of the time. This plant will not do very well in the shade for prolonged periods of time. The more sun it receives, the more vibrant its colors become.
How to grow firestick plants?
Use the best possible mature shoots of the firestick plant. Use clean, sharp cutting tools. Take cuttings about 12 to 15 cm long. Make cuts directly under a leaf node. Allow the cuttings to dry for 48 hours before placing them in the substrate. Choose a warm and bright, but not full sun, location for the cuttings.
What happens if a firestick plant is damaged?
As with other euphorbias , if the plant is damaged, the caustic, milk-white sap immediately escapes from the firestick plant.
When should I prune a firestick tree?
If obtaining cuttings for propagation, it is ideal to do it in spring or early summer.
Can you leave firestick sap in a room?
However, to prevent dangerous skin irritation and symptoms of poisoning from the sap, you should observe the following safety instructions: Never leave children and pets unattended in a room with a firestick plant. Wear protective gloves when pruning.
Is a firestick plant poisonous?
The firestick plant, which comes from Africa, belongs to the spurge family and these are poisonous. Unfortunately, this also applies to the firestick plant and to all parts of the plant. Hence, it is not an ideal houseplant for families with young children or pets.
Is Euphorbia tirucalli harmful?
If Euphorbia tirucalli stands undisturbed in a suitable location in the plant pot by the window, the attractive shrub with the decoratively thickened twigs does not have an immediate harmful effect.
Can you cut back a firestick plant?
If the firestick plant becomes too big, it can be cut back [photo by cultivar413] The winter months are a good time for a simple maintenance pruning, as then a little less of the poisonous white milky sap escapes from the interfaces of the plant .
Why did two dogs die from succulents?
Two Dogs Nearly Died After Being Exposed To Toxic Plant. By Andrea Powell. Succulents are common plants for the garden and home because they are low maintenance and come in an array of shapes and colors. However, some are toxic and can cause more harm than good.
Can a firestick succulent be eaten by a dog?
Yes a plant. This is what is called “Firestick succulent”. When a piece is broken off the milky substance is extremely acidic and toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. The smaller sibling ingested it and is also ill with serious vomiting and lethargy.”. Photos: Facebook/Amy Kat.
