How often should I water it?

Water only when the soil has dried out completely.

Does it need direct sun?

It prefers bright, indirect light but can handle some direct sun.

Plant guide

African milk tree.

Euphorbia trigona

Pronounced yoo-FOR-bee-uh try-GO-nuh

Also known as African milktree

African Milk Weed — Photo by Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The African milk tree is a striking succulent that looks like a cactus but is actually a spurge. It grows tall and upright with three distinct sides on its stems. It is a fantastic choice if you want a bold architectural statement in your home.

Another photo of African milk tree — Photo by Gabriel Cardoso Fialho (CC0) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Bright light with some direct sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 14 to 21 days
Mature size: 6 to 8 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 11
Bloom time: Rarely blooms in cultivation.

Care

Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves or mushy stems, which are clear signs of overwatering. Always wear gloves when handling it to avoid contact with the irritating sap.

Watering: Wait until the soil is bone dry before giving it a thorough drink.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back any overgrown or damaged branches in the spring.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot once the plant becomes top heavy.
Soil: 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, can live for many decades.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant becomes top-heavy and unstable.
Growth slows significantly during the active season.

Safety

People: The milky white sap is highly irritating to skin and eyes and toxic if swallowed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs because its milky sap causes severe irritation.
Children: Keep this plant well out of reach of children due to the toxic, irritating sap.
Contact allergens: The latex sap can cause severe dermatitis or blistering upon contact with skin.
Airborne allergens: None.
Edibility: This plant is toxic if ingested and should never be consumed.

How to identify it

Three sided stems with ridges
Small leaves along stem edges
Sharp thorns in pairs
Upright branching growth habit

Height: 0.9 to 2.4m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, reddish, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 0cm

Problems to watch for

Root rot · Caused by overwatering or poor drainage.
Mealybugs · Small white insects that feed on plant sap.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Move to a warmer indoor location and significantly reduce watering during the cooler months.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided they have excellent drainage and are heavy enough to prevent tipping.

Stem cuttings

Wear gloves to protect against the sap.
Cut a healthy stem section.
Let the cut end callous over for a few days.
Plant in well-draining succulent soil.

Group succulents with similar water needs to avoid accidental overwatering of this species.

Grows well with

Aloe · They share similar water and light requirements.
Jade Plant · Both are drought tolerant succulents that look great together.

Similar species

Candelabra Tree · It has a similar branching, tree-like habit.

Science

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central and Southern Africa.
Conservation: Not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in arid, rocky environments where it stores water in its thick stems to survive long droughts.

Uses: ornamental houseplant, architectural accent

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

How often should I water it?: Water only when the soil has dried out completely.
Does it need direct sun?: It prefers bright, indirect light but can handle some direct sun.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Euphorbus, a physician to King Juba II, while trigona refers to the three-sided stems.

Good to know

It is often called the African Milk Tree.
The small leaves only grow along the ridges of the stems.
It grows quite fast in bright light.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on November 7, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.