Euphorbia, African Milk Tree, Candelabra Cactus 'Rubra'

I bought this plant over 30 years ago at a local grocery store. It was one stalk, perhaps 6 inches in height. It is now over 8 feet tal...Read Morel and has always resided indoors. My biggest problems are, it want's to grow taller but cannot due to ceiling height and as it now has at least 20 stalks is very difficult to repot. I just did repot it as it was unable to stand without being tied. I have never pruned it, but it did fall over once and stabbed itself many times, causing it to weaken dramatically, that is when we tied it, hoping it would regain strength. Can it be pruned? Any help is welcome as I would hate to loose it after all these years. I will post a picture when I have a digital camara available.

Hi , I live in Southern Maine and grow mine indoors. I inherited it from my grandmother. My cactus was dormant for about 3 years then st...Read Morearted to grow again and bud on edges. My youngest daughter poked a large hole in the bottom of one of the stalks, and that stalk seems to be dying. I foung this site loking for info on how to save it or cut it from where it is dead and re-plant. Otherwise I have had wonderful luck with plant and it is always a good convesation starter. Take care, Kachena

This is one of the better landscaping Euphorbias for moderate sized xeric gardens in Southern California- it is super easy requiring litt...Read Morele or no care. Rarely needs water, though will take a lot of water happily and just grow faster. It will stay where it is- non-invasive. It grows in nice, tight clumps, and if getting too tall, is fairly easy to move (except very sharp spines, and sticky, irritating sap) with little worries about it not surviving the move. And if you want more, a simple 'snap'- off an arm and put in the ground (or a sandy soil in a pot) and it will usually take, as long as you don't over water it (or try this in the middle of winter). It tends to be covered in leaves during the summer, and devoid of them in the winter. I havent' seen mine flower yet, but suspect the flowers are pretty darn dinky. The color of this variety is accentuated by drout and cold... and sometimes blazing heat. If grown in partial shade (which it will do fine in) it tends to be a bit 'ordinary'- on the green side, like the 'normal' color variety. The 'skin' of this plant is exceeding shiny and smooth, and variegated- highly ornamental.

I have had mine for now 9 years, growing indoors. I have had no problems other than trying to keep up with the right pot size. It has jus...Read Moret developed what appears to be leaves growing on the very tip top of each arm. Why? I dont know, I just keep watching it ... If they are suppose to bloom, how long does it take.

Had mine growing outside in a pot for 3 years (Auckland, NZ) and it is getting big. Beyond handling now. Very easy care--does not much w...Read Moreater. I had it facing the hot, west side (also where we got a fair deal of wind) and it did great. Now, I have moved, and it's facing east so it only gets morning sun. Seems happy, still. Quite a feature people comment on when they see it.

Grown as an indoor plant in Denmark it is very hardy, I had one in our bathroom for 8 years, but it became too big. Now I have one in my ...Read Moreoffice on top of the radiator. perfect office plant. In Danish we call it "Cowboy Cactus" -- not withstanding.

Like all Euphorbias, the sap is also poisonous, in addition to being a skin irritant. I also read somewhere that it may cause blindness ...Read Moreif the sap gets in the eyes. Not sure how true it is, but I won't take any chances. I also use rubbing alcohol if I get some on my skin.

This particular plant is actually quite easy to grow and not very demanding. It does very well indoors with moderate light. Dim light will give it weak, flat growth. To get the red coloring, give it some sunlight gradually. It will not tolerate much freezing temperature.

I live in east coast Australia and have had great success with this plant. I broke off one the "arms" and put it into some potting mix ....Read More It is slow growing but so far has 3 new leaves and seems quite healthy. It originated in tropical West Africa. Doesn't seem to be prone to any diseases so far.

Like all Euphorbia HANDLE WITH CARE, the latex/sap is dangerous and can cause skin rash, itching and general discomfort.