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euphorbia pencil cactus

euphorbia pencil cactus Pencil Cactus

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Description

euphorbia pencil cactus Pencil CactusIntroducing the Pencil Cactus, botanically known as Euphorbia tirucalli Fire Sticks (also called Sticks on Fire), a striking succulent prized for its sea coral like appearance and vibrant, loosely branching pencil thin stems that develop brilliant shades of green, orange, and red. Native to Southern Africa, this unique succulent belongs to the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family, not the cactus family (Cactaceae), though it is commonly referred to as Pencil

Introducing the Pencil Cactus, botanically known as Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Fire Sticks’ (also called Sticks on Fire), a striking succulent prized for its sea coral-like appearance and vibrant, loosely branching pencil-thin stems that develop brilliant shades of green, orange, and red.

Native to Southern Africa, this unique succulent belongs to the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family, not the cactus family (Cactaceae), though it is commonly referred to as “Pencil Cactus” because of its cactus-like form and upright growth habit. It is also known by several other common names, including fire sticks plant, sticks on fire succulent, fire plant, red pencil tree, milk bush, and Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Rosea’.


When exposed to direct sunlight, the tips turn red, which is why they are also called firesticks.

This fast growing evergreen succulent can grow up to 30 feet tall and 10 feet wide, forming a thicket of brilliantly colored vertical stems with loose branches.

The unusual stems of this firestick plant, which are as thin as pencils, have a reddish-golden hue that becomes yellow in the summer and red again in the winter.

The pencil cactus flowers boast vibrant yellow, pink, or orange blooms in the summer and spring, making them a true showstopper in any garden.

The pencil cactus is extremely drought tolerant and hard to kill, and as a result, is a great, low-maintenance, easy-care plant for your home or garden.

You can grow your pencil cactus indoors year-round as a houseplant. If planting outdoors, it's best to do so in the spring when temperatures are warm and stable. This cactus grows faster than many other cacti, making it a striking addition to your garden or home.

If you cut your pencil cactus, be careful—the thick, white sap is toxic and can cause skin irritation, burns, or severe eye irritation if it gets into your eyes. While highly irritating, some cultures have historically used it in traditional medicine for treating growths like warts and tumors, though it is not safe for home remedies. Always wear gloves when handling the plant and wash your hands thoroughly if you come into contact with the sap.

When and How to Water Your Pencil Cactus 

This pencil cactus firestick plant can withstand droughts and doesn't need to be watered frequently to survive. Watering these perennial succulents should be done every 3–4 weeks or when the soil feels dry. Let the soil completely dry out between waterings, and if in doubt, give your fire plant a little more time before watering again.  Less water is needed for humid locations and indoor spaces. Pay attention to how the pencil cactus looks and adjust the watering accordingly.

Remember that succulents in the desert can go for weeks or even months without water, so water them sparingly during their rest phase and moderately during their active growing season.

Pro Tip

Most people like to see the red tips that give this Euphorbia tirucalli its firestick name. Note that it is stress that causes the tips to go red. So, the art is to stress the firestick plant a bit, but not too much. So, give it a lot of light and water it less than other succulents, so it is thirsty but not dying of thirst.

Overwatering can also cause the Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks' tips to turn red, but it can also lead to root rot and other problems. So, if your pencil cactus is not turning red in full sun, it's possible that it's not experiencing enough stress to produce the anthocyanin pigments or that it's receiving too much water.

Light Requirements - Where to Place Your Pencil Cactus 

Like most succulents, indoors, the Euphorbia tirucalli firesticks need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive, so choose the brightest area in the house.

Potted indoor pencil cacti require four hours of direct sunlight, which can be achieved by locating them on a sunny south or west-facing windowsill. 

If you are growing these firestick succulents outdoors, make sure that they receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.

Partial shade may be tolerated as long as your pencil cactus gets the majority of the sunlight that it needs when it's planted outside. This succulent plant won't thrive if left in the shade for a long time. Its colors become more vibrant the more sunlight it receives.

In order to avoid sunburn, it is preferable to acclimatize your pencil cactus first before moving it outdoors or increasing the amount of sunlight it receives.

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

The firestick Euphorbia is a succulent plant that likes very airy, porous, nutrient-rich soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Succulents require fast-draining soil that dries completely between waterings. Ideally, you want to use our specialized potting mixGo to soil cactus mix blend 1 gal 4 qt cacti succulent dirt compost growing media that contains 5 natural substrates and organic mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your Euphorbia firesticks Pencil Cactus to thrive. 

When it comes to fertilizing your pencil cactus plant, it only needs a small amount of fertilizer applied once a year in spring. Cacti prefer a fertilizer with lower doses of NPK, with a maximum ratio of 5-10-5 that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen.

Hardiness Zones & More 

When growing indoors as a houseplant, the Euphorbia firestick can tolerate temperatures between 65 °F and 75 °F. Your Euphorbia firestick plant performs well in temperatures above 30 °F. However, it can withstand temperatures below that, but only for short periods of time.

In the United States, the Euphorbia tirucalli is mostly an indoor plant, but if you live in southern Florida or Hawaii then you can cultivate it outdoors in USDA zones 10 -11.

Growing these pencil cacti in containers is the best option if you live in an area with harsh winters.

By doing this, you can bring your Pencil Cactus indoors during the winter or any time there's a chance of frost or snow. Normal house humidity is fine for this Euphorbia, but it prefers dry conditions. 

Wildlife - Euphorbia tirucalli Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators

The Euphorbia tirucalli flowers attract a variety of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, with their bright colors and sweet nectar. These pollinators play a crucial role in the ecosystem by helping to fertilize plants and promote biodiversity.

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

According to ASPCA, the Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks' is mildly toxic to humans and pets. It can irritate the skin, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract. However, it is safe to touch as long as precautions are taken to avoid contact with the sap. Wear gloves when handling this plant to prevent any potential skin irritation.

How to Propagate Your Pencil Cactus

When it comes to pencil cactus propagation, one common method is through stem cuttings. Simply take a cutting from a healthy pencil cactus, let it dry for a few days, and then place it in well-draining soil. Another method is through division, where you carefully separate the offsets or side shoots from the main plant and plant them individually.

Key Takeaways

  1. The stems of firesticks are as thin as pencils (hence the name) and turn a fire-red in the winter.
  2. Euphorbia Firesticks is a stunning variety that changes color with the seasons, turning bright red or orange tips in cooler temperatures or full sun.
  3. This succulent has a rapid growth rate, reaching up to 30 feet tall when grown outdoors, with a branching, upright form.
  4. During the spring and summer, the yellow flowers bloom in clusters on the end of the branch, usually for just a few days.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the pencil cactus (Euphorbia Firesticks) is a unique and striking succulent plant that adds a touch of elegance to any space. With its slender, pencil-like stems and vibrant green color, this sticks-on-fire cactus can truly be a showstopper. However, it's important to remember that the pencil cactus is not a true cactus but rather a succulent. It requires minimal care, preferring bright light and well-draining soil. By providing proper pencil cactus care, you'll have a beautiful and unique Euphorbia firestick plant that will thrive for years to come. 

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4.5 ★★★★★
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Verified Purchase
Enchanting
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Gets the job done for a small lawn
Color: 15-Inch
I have a smaller yard, and this works GREAT!!! I have used it several times now. I do not use the bag because my municipality doesn't pick up yard clippings more than once a year. I mow every 7 to 10 days on a middle setting. The only thing that I can complain about is that it doesn't work well if pulling it in reverse. It still cuts fine, but the rubber flap that keeps the grass from flying back at you is a bit long if you want to be able to pull the mower. It can be removed easily if you choose to, but I would at least recommend wearing eye protection if you take it off since it is there for a reason. It maneuvers easily and gets very close to the edges, so I have not had to weed whack at all! It is a light mower and easy to use. Basic maintenance like keeping it covered or in a dry spot when not in use and flipping it to the side to clean the debris from under it after use, and you should have a good mower for a long time. That being said... I DID get the 3-year warranty on it. I know from a past experience with a different company that electric corded mowers are VERY hard to get serviced, so if anything goes wrong, you basically have to replace it. At least this way, my investment will be guaranteed to last several years.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Happy customer
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Worth trying if you want to have fun mowing
Color: 19-Inch-Black
I had already purchased the cute 13” mower from this company and wanted extra batteries. I could have purchased just the batteries and double charger, but it mad more sense to spend a few more dollars and get this larger mower with a side chute so that I could have both types and sizes. The smaller one has a basket, but not a side chute. They’re both incredibly lightweight and easy to use. This one weighs under thirty pounds. It’s box was inside a larger Amazon shipping box which made it harder to get through my front door. I foolishly tried pulling it in, but it kept catching on the storm door. It would have been much easier to simply go around from the back of the house and push it in through the front door so that I could hold the storm door open. Lesson learned. I was able to lift the actual box for the mower. It has push in handles. Carefully lifting the mower out of the box was also fairly easy. And assembly just requires pulling the handles into position and tightening them. I decided to adjust the handle length so it was more comfortable. That might require a helper to hold it if a helper is available. I had to use my legs to hold it in place while I removed the bolts and reinserted them for the new handle length. The height needs to be adjusted so that you can easily move it because it’s set low for shipping. That’s simple with the handle designed for height adjustment. The little key has two prongs which need to be inserted all the way so it works properly. It makes a little clicking sound as it goes into place. The batteries might need to be used and recharged a few times before you can get an idea of how long they’ll last between charges. It’s not reasonable to assume that anyone can mow a large yard in thirty or forty minutes, especially by hand. My yard is around half an acre and it takes hours to mow it by hand with a self-propelled gas mower. A battery powered push mower isn’t going to go faster than a self propelled mower. You’ll be able to mow as much as you can mow before the batteries need to be changed or recharged. If you’re a senior woman like me with chronic medical conditions that cause pain and weakness, chances are that you don’t really want to mow more than thirty or forty minutes without a break anyway. And not having to wrestle with a heavy gas mower is a huge relief. Pushing this mower is like pushing a vacuum. It’s easy to move forward and easy to pull back toward you. Trying to pull a heavy self-propelled gas mower backwards is very difficult and painful for people in my situation. I have lots of bushes and other obstacles to mow around and I get exhausted trying to use my gas mower for this. When I used this nice, lightweight cordless mower, I didn’t get tired at all. I wanted to do a good comparison, so I used this one between two sessions of using the heavy gas mower. With the gas mower, I could only mow for around fifteen minutes before I started to feel like I might collapse. With this mower, I moved over thirty minutes and I actually started to wear out before the batteries did, but I was able to keep mowing until the batteries stopped without feeling like I might collapse any minute. I was able to do housework before and after mowing with this mower. Walking quickly, I mowed around 1/6 of an acre on one charge. Cleaning it is a breeze. Just position it on its side and use a brush with a long enough handle to protect your hands and arms from the blade. You can use a leaf blower on it before and after brushing grass loose, too, if one is handy. And you can put a damp cloth around the brush if you want to wash the residue off. It will probably work best with the side chute in place, but it might handle totally dry grass without the side chute if the grass isn’t terribly long. For a cordless mower under $200, this is a great bargain that could make yard work much less difficult. They have a 16” size with a grass collection bag or basket if you don’t like the side chute style. I have a cordless Craftsman mower with more powerful batteries that’s heavier and much more expensive. I can’t lift that one without hurting myself. This brand was recommended in many online articles as a good, lightweight mower for seniors and people with health conditions. After using it, I can see why. Buying extra batteries is a good idea, but I like having the two different sizes of mowers with batteries that can be shared. I can use this one for mowing and the 13” size for trimming if I prefer to do that. I can’t usually mow the front and back on the same day anymore, so I don’t mind mowing the yard in stages. People can’t see my backyard unless they’re trespassing because it’s surrounded by a fence, so it’s not a problem if it takes two or three days to finish my yard work. And it’s good exercise being able to mow by hand for half an hour at a time. Using this mower isn’t traumatic or painful. And it’s quiet enough to let me hear the birds singing while I mow. I have to wear layers of masks outdoors to avoid serious reactions to certain pollutants, and this mower doesn’t make me out of breath like wrestling with my heavy mower does. This one looks more like a fun mower. The 13” one looks like a fun toy and it’s also fun to use. They will both make my yard work more pleasant. I’ll have to continue using my heavy gas mowers for areas with too many sticks and walnuts dropping from neighbors’ trees, but I’ll use the fun, lightweight ones whenever possible. Using them doesn’t feel like working. They feel like just having fun outdoors. And they can be stored indoors if necessary, especially over the winter. You can’t treat them roughly or you’ll break them. They don’t need rough treatment. They’re designed so that people with weak hands can also use them safely and comfortably. People with health conditions can understand this. Men who want heavy duty tools cannot and they would be better off spending the extra money on heavy duty tools. Seniors and women who are tired of getting hurt while trying to mow the grass will probably be grateful for this mower. I certainly am. And when it eventually breaks, I’ll buy another one. It’s much cheaper than having to pay someone else to do a crummy job mowing my lawn.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026
L
Verified Purchase
Lantz Robinson
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 4
It's fine
Color: 13-Inch
It has an easy assembly and works as intended. This mower is not for large yards. It will not work for a large yard. If you have a yard larger than 500sqft in total, it will work, but it's not going to get the job done in one shot. Right now, with the grass being long and unruly, it drains both batteries just doing one half of the total yard I have. I'm sure it will last a lot longer when I'm not having to constantly restart from clogging, but the long grass is a challenge for it. It looks decent and it's quieter than a gas. Unfortunately it's a cheap plastic, so it's a little wobbly and struggles to get over bumps. If you're willing to struggle over uneven terrain and cut a bit low in spots, go for it. Otherwise try to mow as flat a surface as possible. Also you can stick a rod to prop open the clipping hatch if you're sick of constantly dumping the thing.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2026
J
Verified Purchase
Jeff Bezos
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Exceeded Expectations
Color: 19-Inch-Orange
I feel like I am about to jinx myself by writing this review after one mow. For background, for the past few years I have been using a Greenworks 21inch deck mower. The batteries were awful on it, it cut awful, it seemed like it would cut out when it sensed I was about to get to the taller bits of grass. It honestly turned me off of buying an electric mower because I felt they were all the same. Que this mower. I read the reviews, figured it was worth a shot and wow I can’t believe I dealt with that Greenworks mower for this long. The LawnMaster mower was easy to put together and there was even juice in the batteries. When I started mowing my front lawn, I was amazed that there was no pieces of grass that it missed, unlike my last mower. The LawnMaster feels very lightweight and I am amble to maneuver it with ease. The size of the deck is perfect since i don’t have a huge yard, and it’s very quiet. So I’m suspiciously optimistic and if it continues to impress me, you better believe I’ll be buying a trimmer from LawnMaster too.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2026
J
Verified Purchase
Janice O
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
I am pleased with mower. Easy to put together and handle
Color: 19-Inch-Orange
I have used this mower twice and so far am very pleased. It is light weight and will mow my small front and back yard with leaving 40% left on battery. I did have a scare last time I used because mower stopped on fully charged batteries and I discovered the safety key came loose and was able to put back in and finish. In my opinion the key could fit a bit more snug
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Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2026

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