How often should I water it?

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

Can I grow it in low light?

No, it requires bright, direct sunlight to maintain its color and health.

Plant guide

Candelabra Spurge.

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

Mottled Spurge — Photo by Lyrae (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This striking succulent features a unique, crested fan shape that makes it a real conversation piece. It thrives in warm, sunny spots and adds a sculptural element to any collection. You'll love how easy it is to maintain once you find the right spot for it.

Another photo of Candelabra Spurge — Photo by monkeyjodey (CC0) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Bright, indirect light with some morning sun.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 14 to 21 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep this plant in a well draining mix and avoid getting water on the stems to prevent rot. Watch for shriveling as a sign of thirst, but always let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Ensure it has plenty of airflow to keep the crested folds healthy.

Watering: Water sparingly during the growing season and keep it almost dry in winter.
Feeding: Use a balanced, diluted fertilizer only during the active spring and summer months.
Pruning: Only prune to remove dead or damaged sections using clean, sharp tools.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes top heavy or clearly outgrows its container.
Soil: Gritty, well draining cactus mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Stunted growth during the active season
Soil that stays wet for too long

Safety

People: The milky white sap is highly toxic and can cause severe skin irritation or blindness if it contacts the eyes.
Pets: The milky sap is highly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested or touched.
Children: Keep this plant well out of reach of children because the sap is dangerous and the stems are covered in sharp spines.
Contact allergens: The sap contains latex and diterpene esters which cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant risk of respiratory allergy from this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not edible and ingestion of any part can cause severe gastrointestinal distress.

How to identify it

Fan shaped crested stems
Wavy, succulent ridges
Small, sharp spines along edges
Milky white sap inside
Dark green to variegated skin

Height: 1.5 to 5m
Spread: 1 to 3m
Leaves: green, white, yellow, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, white, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: green, Summer

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Overwintering: Move the plant indoors before temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius and keep it in a bright, cool spot with very little water.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided you use a pot with drainage holes and a porous cactus mix.

Stem Cuttings

1. Wear gloves to protect yourself from the toxic sap.
2. Cut a healthy stem segment with a sterilized knife.
3. Let the cut end callous over in a dry place for a week.
4. Plant the calloused cutting in dry, sandy soil.
5. Wait until roots form before watering lightly.

Group this plant with other succulents that prefer gritty, fast draining soil to simplify your watering routine.

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.

Similar species

Candelabra Tree — It shares the same architectural, succulent growth habit.

Science

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical Asia, specifically India and Sri Lanka.
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered in its native range.

It survives in dry, rocky scrublands by storing water in its thick, succulent stems.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental houseplant, xeriscaping, container specimen

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between sessions.
Can I grow it in low light?: No, it requires bright, direct sunlight to maintain its color and health.

Where the name comes from

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

Good to know

It is a succulent shrub that thrives in arid environments.
The stems are triangular in cross section and have sharp spines along the ridges.
It is often used as a rootstock for grafting other cacti.

Also in

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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.