No, it is a succulent shrub that has evolved to look like a cactus for survival.

How often should I water it?

Water it sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Plant guide

Coral Cactus.

Euphorbia lactea

Pronounced yoo-FOR-bee-uh LAK-tee-uh

Also known as Devil's Walking Stick, Mottled Spurge, candelabra spurge, candelabra-cactus, dragon-bones, false cactus, hat-rack-cactus

The Coral Cactus is actually a crested succulent graft that looks like a beautiful, ruffled coral reef. It thrives in warm, dry spots and needs very little attention to stay happy. Just be careful, because its milky sap is quite irritating.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Bright, indirect light
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 60 to 90 cm
Growth rate: slow
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely blooms in cultivation

Care

Keep this plant in a spot with plenty of light and ensure the soil dries out completely between waterings. Watch for shriveling stems, which means it needs a drink, or mushy spots, which indicate too much water. Always wear gloves when handling it to avoid contact with the sap.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Only prune to remove dead or damaged sections using clean, sharp shears.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes top-heavy or outgrows its container.
Soil: Well-draining cactus mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 10 to 40%
Drought tolerance: high
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many decades with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: high

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant becomes top heavy and unstable.
Water runs straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: The milky white sap is extremely irritating to the skin and eyes and can cause severe blistering or temporary blindness.
Pets: The milky sap is highly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested or touched.
Children: This plant should be kept strictly out of reach of children due to the toxic, caustic nature of its sap.
Contact allergens: The latex sap is a potent skin irritant that causes rashes and inflammation upon contact.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are highly toxic if ingested and can cause severe irritation.

How to identify it

Fan shaped crested stems
Wavy, ruffled edges
Small, sharp spines
Green with white variegation
Succulent, fleshy texture

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, white, evergreen
Flowers: 0cm

Common problems

Root rot — This occurs when the plant is kept in soil that stays too wet for too long.
Mealybugs — These small white insects hide in the crevices of the stems and suck plant juices.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Move the plant indoors before temperatures drop. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months when the plant is dormant.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided you use a pot with drainage holes and a gritty, fast draining soil mix.

Stem Cuttings

Wear gloves to protect your skin from the caustic sap.
Take a cutting and let the wound callous over for several days.
Place the calloused cutting into a dry, sandy potting mix.
Wait until roots form before watering lightly.

Group plants with identical water needs together to prevent accidental overwatering of your succulents.

Grows well with

Aloe — They share similar requirements for bright light and infrequent watering.
Jade Plant — This succulent thrives in the same dry, sunny conditions as the Euphorbia.

Keep away from

Ferns — Ferns require high humidity and consistent moisture, which will kill this succulent.

Similar species

African Milk Tree — It has a similar upright growth habit and milky sap.

Science

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical regions of India and Sri Lanka.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered, but wild collection is discouraged to protect natural populations.

It grows in dry, rocky areas where its succulent stems store water to survive long periods of drought.

Uses: ornamental specimen, architectural houseplant, xeriscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it a cactus?: No, it is a succulent shrub that has evolved to look like a cactus for survival.
How often should I water it?: Water it sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Euphorbus, a physician to King Juba II, while the species name lactea refers to the milky white sap.

Good to know

It is not actually a cactus, despite its common name and appearance.
The plant is native to tropical regions of Asia.
It belongs to the massive Euphorbia family, which includes everything from tiny weeds to large trees.

Is your coral cactus looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.