Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire' (Fire Sticks)
Fire Sticks, Euphorbia tirucalli 'Rosea', Red Pencil Tree, Pencil Tree, Milkbush, Milk Bush, Finger Tree, Sticks of Fire 'Rosea'
Resembling sea coral, Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire' (Fire Sticks) is a striking evergreen succulent shrub forming a thicket of brilliantly colored, loosely branching, vertical stems. As thin as pencils, the distinctive stems exhibit a reddish-golden color which fades to yellow shades in summer before changing back to redder tones in winter. When new, the stems bear small leaves that are inconspicuous and soon drop. Euphorbia tirucalli is prized by landscape designers who use it to add vertical accents in waterwise gardens, to create succulent seascapes or to lend its fiery color to container floral displays.
- Typically grows up to 4-8 ft. tall and wide (120-240 cm), if grown in-ground in full sun in a hot and frost-free climate.
- This remarkable plant is resilient to most pests and diseases, is salt tolerant, deer or rabbit resistant and is easy to care for.
- Performs best in full sun in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. It is drought tolerant and does well in poor, rocky soil.
- Perfect addition to beds, borders, coastal gardens or Mediterranean Gardens. It can be used in containers where it will lend color and height to floral arrangements.
- Quick to strike root from cuttings.
- The species Euphorbia tirucalli is native to a wide range from Madagascar north through tropical and subtropical Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India.
- All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested. The milky sap may cause irritation to skin and eyes. Be very careful when handling this plant as the stems break easily and the milky sap can burn the skin. Use gloves and protective googles.
- Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 10
– 12 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 10
– 12 |
Climate Zones | 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Cactus - Succulents |
Plant Family | Euphorbia - Spurges |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 4' – 8' (120cm – 240cm) |
Spread | 4' – 8' (120cm – 240cm) |
Spacing | 96" (240cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Salt |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden |
(c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com, Debora Carl Landscape Design, Just Dance, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 10
– 12 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 10
– 12 |
Climate Zones | 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Cactus - Succulents |
Plant Family | Euphorbia - Spurges |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 4' – 8' (120cm – 240cm) |
Spread | 4' – 8' (120cm – 240cm) |
Spacing | 96" (240cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Salt |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden |