Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush) Euphorbia tirucalli
Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush) (Euphorbia tirucalli) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Euphorbiaceae family, native to Tropical and southern Africa (widely planted since ancient times, so its exact origin is uncertain). It grows 2–7 m (6.6–23 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
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Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Mature height | 2–7 m (6.6–23 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 44 °C (111 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–261 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Tropical and southern Africa (widely planted since ancient times, so its exact origin is uncertain) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇮🇳 India, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush) toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: milky latex
The milky latex burns skin and can cause severe, painful eye injury and even temporary blindness: wear gloves and eye protection when cutting it.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush)
- How far apart should I plant Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush) flower?
- About 156–261 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people severely toxic. The milky latex burns skin and can cause severe, painful eye injury and even temporary blindness: wear gloves and eye protection when cutting it.
- What grows well with Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pencil tree (firesticks, milk bush). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of dry, sunny places: grow it in gritty, free-draining soil and water deeply but rarely; cold and wet together kill it faster than frost or drought.
- A mass of smooth green pencil-thin branches with tiny leaves that soon drop; the orange-red ‘Sticks on Fire’ is a popular garden form. Planted as living fences around homesteads across East Africa and India because cattle will not touch it.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Cassava Manihot esculenta
- Croton Codiaeum variegatum
- Crown of thorns Euphorbia milii
- Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima
- Pará rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis
- Mediterranean spurge Euphorbia characias
- Candlenut (kukui) Aleurites moluccanus
- Candelabra tree (naboom) Euphorbia ingens