Does it need a lot of water?

No, it is very drought tolerant and prefers to dry out between waterings.

Can I keep it indoors?

Yes, it makes a striking houseplant if placed in a very sunny window.

Plant guide

Fire Stick.

Euphorbia tirucalli

Pronounced yoo-FOR-bee-uh tih-roo-KAL-lee

Also known as African milkbush, Indian tree spurge, Indiantree Spurge, fingertree, milkbush, milkhedge, naked-lady, penciltree

The Fire Stick is a striking succulent known for its pencil thin, coral like branches that turn brilliant shades of orange and red in bright light. It is a drought tolerant plant that makes a bold statement in any sunny indoor space. Handle this plant with care because its milky sap is quite irritating.

Another photo of Fire Stick — Photo by chiuluan (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 150 to 250 cm
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Provide as much direct sunlight as possible to maintain the vibrant color. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Always wear gloves when pruning to avoid contact with the caustic sap.

Watering: Water sparingly, ensuring the soil is bone dry before adding more moisture.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long or leggy stems in spring to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes top heavy or root bound.
Soil: Well draining cactus and succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for several decades.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in
Plant becoming top heavy and unstable

Safety

People: The milky white latex sap is extremely irritating to the skin and can cause temporary 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 highly dangerous if it touches the eyes or mouth.
Contact allergens: The sap contains diterpene esters that cause severe contact dermatitis and blistering.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: The plant is highly toxic if ingested and should never be consumed.

How to identify it

Pencil thin cylindrical succulent stems
Branches resemble coral or sticks
Stems turn orange red in sun
Small leaves appear on new growth
Milky white sap inside stems

Height: 1.5 to 6m
Spread: 1 to 3m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: pink, green, Summer

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Overwintering: Move the plant indoors before the first frost. Keep it in a bright, cool location and reduce watering to a minimum until spring.
In containers: It grows very well in pots, provided you use a well draining cactus mix and a pot with large drainage holes.

Stem Cuttings

1. Wear gloves to protect your skin from the toxic sap.
2. Cut a healthy stem section about 10 to 15 centimeters long.
3. Rinse the cut end in water to stop the sap flow.
4. Let the cutting callous in a dry, shaded spot for a few days.
5. Plant the calloused end into dry, sandy soil.

Group this plant with other drought tolerant succulents to ensure you do not accidentally overwater them.

Grows well with

Aloe · They share similar water requirements and thrive in the same sunny conditions.
Jade Plant · Both plants are low maintenance succulents that look great together in containers.

Similar species

Firesticks · A popular cultivar that develops beautiful orange and red tones in bright light.

Science

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical Africa and India.
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It thrives in arid, rocky environments where its succulent stems store water for long dry periods.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental, hedge, biofuel research

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9
Temperature: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: No, it is very drought tolerant and prefers to dry out between waterings.
Can I keep it indoors?: Yes, it makes a striking houseplant if placed in a very sunny window.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Euphorbus, a Greek physician, while the specific epithet tirucalli is derived from a local Indian name for the plant.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the pencil cactus, though it is a succulent spurge and not a true cactus.
The stems are nearly leafless, giving it a unique, minimalist appearance.
It can grow into a large, dense shrub in ideal tropical conditions.
The sap was historically used as a fish poison in some regions.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.