Customer Reviews

Pencil Cactus - Euphorbia - Easy to grow/Hard to kill!

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I purchased this as a gift (I'm in Iraq) and it is really hard to grow plants of any kind here. The plant arrived extremely quick, especially since I am 7,000 miles away, and in great condition. they send it with a heating pack and in a bunch of packing peanuts to avoid any breaking. It wasn't wilting at all. I was however, concerned because I have never heard anything about the plant, so I did some research on it. I highly recommend it to anyone that is deployed, or a great gift to someone that doesn't have a green thumb (such as myself!) But on the bad side, if you kill it-then you are less nurturing than a desert :)

Some helpful information is as follows:

Definition: The plant, pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli), is both a popular Southwest U.S. landscaping plant as well as a poinsonous threat to some people.

The pencil cactus is not a true cactus but a member of the Euphorbia family. It is originally from tropical parts of Africa and India. It can naturally grow into 30-foot tall tree with pencil-size green branches.

Pencil cactus is used in the Southwest as a landscaping plant and as a large houseplant in other parts of the United States.

The pencil cactus often turns red-orange as the weather cools, making it a very attractive ornamental plant.

Another name for the pencil cactus is milkbush. Like all members of the Euphorbia family, milkbush produces a white thick substance when the stem is cut. This sap contains the toxic component thought to be diterpene esters. It can be hazardous to humans. However, usually the amount you come in contact with will not kill you but will cause burning in the eyes and skin discomfort. A few people are highly allergic and end up in emergency rooms for treatment. It is recommended that pets and children steer clear of the plant.

I purchased this product and had it sent to a qualified "Master Gardner" in Alabama. The reports that I get on it is that it is growing well and duning just fine. I have two of them at my home in the HOT desert of the southwest. They grow beautifully there. They are both in larger pots and are growing well and consistantly. Once established they grow moderately quickly. The seller delivered the Pencil Cactus quickly and in perfect condition. I have used Hirt's nursery, the seller, for MANY other plants since first ordering from them. Every plant I have ordered has arrived in great condition. I highly recommend Hirt's.