Firesticks Plant, or Euphorbia tirucalli, is a beautiful succulent with a stem that resembles a pencil. It is also known as the milk bush, fire plant, pencil cactus, sticks on fire, and stick cactus. The reddish-orange hue and branching pattern of the plant give rise to its name.
It spreads widely and produces bushy bunches of stems that resemble burning leaves. The fire plant, named for its branches resembling sea coral, is a lovely plant to cultivate in a garden or other place. USDA plant hardiness zones 10 through 12 suit indoor and outdoor cultivation.
Firesticks Plant Overview
| Scientific Name | Euphorbia tirucalli |
| Common Name | Aveloz, Indian tree spurge |
| Family | Euphorbiaceous |
| Height & Spread | 30′ high |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Soil | A gritty and well-draining soil |
| Water | Low |
| Pests & Diseases | spider mites, mealybugs, aphids |
Where to Plant Firesticks
Firesticks are a type of euphorbia, often called spurge native to Africa. It can withstand freezing temperatures when grown as an indoor plant or outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11. It requires well-draining soil and full light. Furthermore, firestick plants need warm temperatures and low humidity.
Make sure to put firesticks far from busy places if you’re growing them outside. When touched, its delicate stems can break off and leak toxic sap.
When and How to Plant Sticks
Spring, early summer, or early fall are the finest seasons to grow firesticks outside. Steer clear of planting in the summer heat or in the winter, when the plant is dormant.
Stake the plant until it is secure, which should happen in two to three months. Outside, the plant can grow up to a height of 25 feet.
When growing firesticks indoors, use quality potting soil designed especially for succulents in a container with enough drainage. When planted indoors, it doesn’t get as tall.
Firesticks Plant Care
Firestick plants have very simple needs. It doesn’t require a lot of specific soil, water, or fertilizer.
Light
Pencil cacti require six hours a day of direct sunlight for optimal growth. If you’re indoors, the ideal spot to be is right next to a south-facing window. 65°F to 70°F is the optimal temperature range for growth.
Make sure your cactus stays indoors during chilly spells when the temperature falls below fifty degrees. Avoid placing it near cold drafts. Heat, however, rarely causes problems for your cacti because they can withstand temperatures as high as 100° all year round.
Water
Pencil cacti are succulents, meaning they don’t need much water at all because their thick stems and leaves can retain water.
When the top inch of soil gets dry in the summer, water it with fresh water once every two to three weeks. In the winter, you might water it once a month. You don’t need to water it throughout the winter.
Soil
Make sure your soil is gritty and drains properly if you are growing pencil cactus indoors. The soil must release its extra liquid. If not, there’s a chance of root rot, which is the most frequent problem with houseplants.
For pencil cacti, you can either use pre-made soil or make your own using peat moss, gritted detritus, and fertilizers. You should avoid compacted soil.
Pencil Cactus Fertilizer
Plants can be stuck early in the growth season with a controlled-release fertilizer. You can use a diluted liquid solution once a week. You can use a diluted liquid solution once a week.
For large, established outdoor plants, use a 1/4-strength all-purpose 20-20-20 fertilizer. The majority of soils react favourably to fertilizer in the 6-4-6 ratio.
Pruning
Pruning firesticks is rare. If overgrown, trim the plant back with sharp pruners or a pruning saw. Anytime you come into contact with this plant, you must wear long sleeves, gloves, and eye protection.
Its milky sap can burn you and perhaps cause temporary blindness if it gets on your skin or in your eyes. Should the sap come into contact with your skin, remove it right away using soap and lukewarm water.
Propagation
Firestick plants can be easily multiplied by using their cuttings. When taking cuttings, protect yourself from the unpleasant sap by using gloves, long sleeves, and safety glasses. In late spring or summer, take 6–12-inch cuts.
Before putting the cut ends into slightly moistened potting soil, remove the sap from the cuttings with water and give them two to seven days to callus. In between watering, let the soil dry up rather than soaking it with water.
Troubleshooting Pencil Cactus Issues
Pencil cacti don’t usually have many growth issues, pest issues, or diseases, but there are a few to watch out for. Let’s talk about those now.
Pencil Cactus Growing Problems
It can be problematic to overwater the fire plant’s sticks. The plant will develop root rot beneath the soil if you overwater it and the soil drains poorly.
Make sure to give the plant very little water, particularly in the cooler months. When you check the moisture content of the soil, only water it if it’s entirely dry. If you discover that your soil is hanging on to too much water, think about using a looser-textured mix.
Pests
Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites commonly plague house plants, which make up the bulk of pencil cactus plants. Each of them gathers on your succulent, sucking the plant’s fluids and, in severe situations, causing dead stems, curled leaf tips, and even leaf drops.
Use a moist towel to wipe them off your cactus as a first course of treatment. To complete the task, you can use a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Also Rad: Types of Stink Bugs
Diseases of Pencil Cacti
Phomopsis is a fungal illness that can afflict your pencil cactus. The fungus Phomopsis juniperovora is the cause of the grey, indented tips on your pencil cacti. The fungus spreads through wind, rain, and contaminated soil.
Overwatering creates the ideal environment for the fungus to proliferate. If this disease appears, cut off the affected tip with a sterile pruning knife while wearing gloves, and then cover the wound with a sulphur dressing.
Root rot is a disease that appears when the pencil cactus plant grows in an unsuitable habitat. It causes the cacti’s roots and leaves to become mushy and discoloured.
Once you’ve tried to prune away any damage, plant your pencil cactus again with fresh cactus soil. If things don’t improve after that—there is currently no recognized treatment for root rot—you will need to remove the cactus entirely.
Conclusion
Firesticks Plant maintenance is simple, and with the correct care regimen, you can grow vibrant, robust succulents. Use sensible watering and protect it from the cold. Your firestick succulents will bloom with vibrant colour once you’ve taken care of these crucial issues.