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pencil cactus cancer Buy 'Pencil Cactus - Euphorbia tirucalli Firesticks' Care and Growing GuideIntroducing the Pencil Cactus, botanically known as Euphorbia tirucalli Fire Sticks (also called Sticks on Fire), a striking succulent prized for its sea coral like appearance and vibrant, loosely branching pencil thin stems that develop brilliant shades of green, orange, and red. Native to Southern Africa, this unique succulent belongs to the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family, not the cactus family (Cactaceae), though it is commonly referred to as Pencil

Introducing the Pencil Cactus, botanically known as Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Fire Sticks’ (also called Sticks on Fire), a striking succulent prized for its sea coral-like appearance and vibrant, loosely branching pencil-thin stems that develop brilliant shades of green, orange, and red.

Native to Southern Africa, this unique succulent belongs to the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family, not the cactus family (Cactaceae), though it is commonly referred to as “Pencil Cactus” because of its cactus-like form and upright growth habit. It is also known by several other common names, including fire sticks plant, sticks on fire succulent, fire plant, red pencil tree, milk bush, and Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Rosea’.


When exposed to direct sunlight, the tips turn red, which is why they are also called firesticks.

This fast growing evergreen succulent can grow up to 30 feet tall and 10 feet wide, forming a thicket of brilliantly colored vertical stems with loose branches.

The unusual stems of this firestick plant, which are as thin as pencils, have a reddish-golden hue that becomes yellow in the summer and red again in the winter.

The pencil cactus flowers boast vibrant yellow, pink, or orange blooms in the summer and spring, making them a true showstopper in any garden.

The pencil cactus is extremely drought tolerant and hard to kill, and as a result, is a great, low-maintenance, easy-care plant for your home or garden.

You can grow your pencil cactus indoors year-round as a houseplant. If planting outdoors, it's best to do so in the spring when temperatures are warm and stable. This cactus grows faster than many other cacti, making it a striking addition to your garden or home.

If you cut your pencil cactus, be careful—the thick, white sap is toxic and can cause skin irritation, burns, or severe eye irritation if it gets into your eyes. While highly irritating, some cultures have historically used it in traditional medicine for treating growths like warts and tumors, though it is not safe for home remedies. Always wear gloves when handling the plant and wash your hands thoroughly if you come into contact with the sap.

When and How to Water Your Pencil Cactus 

This pencil cactus firestick plant can withstand droughts and doesn't need to be watered frequently to survive. Watering these perennial succulents should be done every 3–4 weeks or when the soil feels dry. Let the soil completely dry out between waterings, and if in doubt, give your fire plant a little more time before watering again.  Less water is needed for humid locations and indoor spaces. Pay attention to how the pencil cactus looks and adjust the watering accordingly.

Remember that succulents in the desert can go for weeks or even months without water, so water them sparingly during their rest phase and moderately during their active growing season.

Pro Tip

Most people like to see the red tips that give this Euphorbia tirucalli its firestick name. Note that it is stress that causes the tips to go red. So, the art is to stress the firestick plant a bit, but not too much. So, give it a lot of light and water it less than other succulents, so it is thirsty but not dying of thirst.

Overwatering can also cause the Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks' tips to turn red, but it can also lead to root rot and other problems. So, if your pencil cactus is not turning red in full sun, it's possible that it's not experiencing enough stress to produce the anthocyanin pigments or that it's receiving too much water.

Light Requirements - Where to Place Your Pencil Cactus 

Like most succulents, indoors, the Euphorbia tirucalli firesticks need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive, so choose the brightest area in the house.

Potted indoor pencil cacti require four hours of direct sunlight, which can be achieved by locating them on a sunny south or west-facing windowsill. 

If you are growing these firestick succulents outdoors, make sure that they receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.

Partial shade may be tolerated as long as your pencil cactus gets the majority of the sunlight that it needs when it's planted outside. This succulent plant won't thrive if left in the shade for a long time. Its colors become more vibrant the more sunlight it receives.

In order to avoid sunburn, it is preferable to acclimatize your pencil cactus first before moving it outdoors or increasing the amount of sunlight it receives.

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

The firestick Euphorbia is a succulent plant that likes very airy, porous, nutrient-rich soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Succulents require fast-draining soil that dries completely between waterings. Ideally, you want to use our specialized potting mixGo to soil cactus mix blend 1 gal 4 qt cacti succulent dirt compost growing media that contains 5 natural substrates and organic mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your Euphorbia firesticks Pencil Cactus to thrive. 

When it comes to fertilizing your pencil cactus plant, it only needs a small amount of fertilizer applied once a year in spring. Cacti prefer a fertilizer with lower doses of NPK, with a maximum ratio of 5-10-5 that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen.

Hardiness Zones & More 

When growing indoors as a houseplant, the Euphorbia firestick can tolerate temperatures between 65 °F and 75 °F. Your Euphorbia firestick plant performs well in temperatures above 30 °F. However, it can withstand temperatures below that, but only for short periods of time.

In the United States, the Euphorbia tirucalli is mostly an indoor plant, but if you live in southern Florida or Hawaii then you can cultivate it outdoors in USDA zones 10 -11.

Growing these pencil cacti in containers is the best option if you live in an area with harsh winters.

By doing this, you can bring your Pencil Cactus indoors during the winter or any time there's a chance of frost or snow. Normal house humidity is fine for this Euphorbia, but it prefers dry conditions. 

Wildlife - Euphorbia tirucalli Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators

The Euphorbia tirucalli flowers attract a variety of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, with their bright colors and sweet nectar. These pollinators play a crucial role in the ecosystem by helping to fertilize plants and promote biodiversity.

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

According to ASPCA, the Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks' is mildly toxic to humans and pets. It can irritate the skin, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract. However, it is safe to touch as long as precautions are taken to avoid contact with the sap. Wear gloves when handling this plant to prevent any potential skin irritation.

How to Propagate Your Pencil Cactus

When it comes to pencil cactus propagation, one common method is through stem cuttings. Simply take a cutting from a healthy pencil cactus, let it dry for a few days, and then place it in well-draining soil. Another method is through division, where you carefully separate the offsets or side shoots from the main plant and plant them individually.

Key Takeaways

  1. The stems of firesticks are as thin as pencils (hence the name) and turn a fire-red in the winter.
  2. Euphorbia Firesticks is a stunning variety that changes color with the seasons, turning bright red or orange tips in cooler temperatures or full sun.
  3. This succulent has a rapid growth rate, reaching up to 30 feet tall when grown outdoors, with a branching, upright form.
  4. During the spring and summer, the yellow flowers bloom in clusters on the end of the branch, usually for just a few days.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the pencil cactus (Euphorbia Firesticks) is a unique and striking succulent plant that adds a touch of elegance to any space. With its slender, pencil-like stems and vibrant green color, this sticks-on-fire cactus can truly be a showstopper. However, it's important to remember that the pencil cactus is not a true cactus but rather a succulent. It requires minimal care, preferring bright light and well-draining soil. By providing proper pencil cactus care, you'll have a beautiful and unique Euphorbia firestick plant that will thrive for years to come. 

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Navy87Guy
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Paleo Perfected - With the Science to Back It Up!
Format: Hardcover
After experimenting with other versions of the paleolithic-based diet, I was happy to finally come upon Paul and Shou-Ching's book, The Perfect Health Diet. It's a scholarly treatment of a complex subject, but presented in a way that's easy to follow and understand. It combines the best parts of old-time wisdom with cutting edge science to lay out a lifestyle and an approach to health that treats the body holistically. The authors systematically lay out the scientific and evolutionary basis for their approach to health. The fact that they both suffered from serious medical conditions - which were cured by taking this new approach - lends a great deal of sincerity to the writing. In a logical, orderly fashion the book walks through the basis for the diet, then tackles each of the major energy sources (proteins, carbohydrates and fats). Once that groundwork is laid, they address the hidden toxins that are present in most of the foods that comprise the Standard American Diet (SAD - a rather appropriate acronym) and help the reader understand HOW the foods contribute to poor health. Throughout the book, the authors use simple but effective "call out" boxes to highlight some key science behind the diet. They also sprinkle in just the right amount of reader testimonials to highlight how their lives were changed by following the Perfect Health Diet. Those examples are placed in just the right spots so the reader can see how the concept being discussed relates to real people in the real world. The inclusion of a Takeaway at the end of each chapter helps tie all the concepts together perfectly. My only complaint is that they use the word "diet" in the title. While they use it in the academic sense (i.e., the foods that you habitually eat to provide sustenance), too many people only think of "diet" as a restriction in your food intake to promote weight loss. I prefer to think of the authors' book as a "lifestyle", rather than simply a prescription for changing your food intake. That view is reinforced by the holistic treatment of the impacts of circadian rhythm disruption on health - a fascinating chapter that probably could have as much impact on your overall health as your choice of food! I think it's very telling that only a short chapter is actually devoted to the discussion of weight loss -- because it is based upon all of the other principles that have already been outlined. The discussion in the weight loss chapter on the scientific origins of obesity is fascinating and sobering at the same time. Overall, the Jaminets have done a fabulous job of scouring the scientific literature and tying together some popular concepts (the whole Paleo movement continues to gain steam in mainstream society) with a solid scientific underpinning that will go a LONG way toward helping people understand not just WHAT to eat (or not eat) but also WHY. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand how their body functions and how the food you eat impacts your health and longevity. It is well-written, thorough and very convincing!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2013
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JetsYankees1971
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Really enjoyed this book and found it helpful
Format: Kindle
The first night after starting this diet I found myself eating a juicy half pound hamburger without the bread, a sweet potato with butter, a small salad with fresh lemons squeezed on top and some sparkling water. Life could be a lot worse!!!! This book was written by 2 Harvard educated scientists. It is thoroughly researched and made a ton of sense to me. I've dieted a lot in my life. I always lost weight and always gained it back. That's a pretty frustrating way to live. The weight gain and loss roller coaster is awful. Over the last 20 years I've tried Atkins, Paleo Diet, Zone Diet, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, South Beach Diet, Mediterranean Diet, Blood type Diet etc etc etc....They all work and they all have flaws which ultimately caused me to stray from them for one reason or another. As an example Nutrisystem is convenient but I don't want to eat that food forever. Atkins and Paleo cut out major food groups PERMANENTLY! They are way too extreme for me. Zone Diet was too much work. Weight watchers with the points was too time consuming. South Beach Diet was a nice fad but I got tired of that also. Anyway, without dragging on too much longer I want to say that the best part of the Perfect Health Diet is its SIMPLICITY! This way of eating doesn't require much thought, planning, or effort. The authors give you a list of foods to eat without asking you to eliminate carbs, fatty foods, meat or dairy. I was taught what carbs to eat and avoid and in what portions. I learned what fatty foods to eat and how often to eat them. I learned about about protein and was taught the right amounts of protein to eat. Most importantly i never feel hungry on the Perfect Health Diet! This diet WILL reduce your food cravings. You are fed well. You eat a lot of fatty foods and still lose weight. You can have dairy in the form of yogurt. You can have starches. You eat fruits and veggies along with lots of eggs, meat, and some fish. Basically you feel healthy because your body gets everything it NEEDS to make you feel GOOD! This diet is the only one I've tried that eliminates food cravings and hunger. I'd give this book 10 stars if I could
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Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2015
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CelticPhoenix
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
The Best, Readable Single-Source Book On Diet and Health
Format: Hardcover
As other reviewers have said, this is really the best "Paleo 2.0 book" available. For those who haven't yet jumped on the bandwagon, eating like our ancient Paleolithic (and Mesolithic) ancestors will help us avoid many of our chronic diseases and feel good doing it! And yet, the Jaminets also take the approach that a straight meat and veggies diet is simply too low in carbs for a properly functioning immune system and proper thyroid level (carbs are required for basic immune functions like phagocytic attack and mucus secretion, as well as neurological and immune energy which feeds back to thyroid output). They like carb sources found in the paleolithic and mesolithic cultures such as tubers, fruit, dairy (for some) and low-in-antinutrient white rice. Now, to the practical: on this diet my family and I have seen an increased level of energy and overall spunk (skin shine, sleep quality, etc.) compared to when we were on, in sequence, a paleo Zone type of diet (Barry Sears' Zone diet using paleo foodstuffs), and a lower carb Mark Sisson-style primal diet. Basically, this has more saturated fat than the former and more carbs than the latter. We are as lean as we were, but feeling better and without any problems, whatsoever. For those who have chronic infections (read: "lingering health issues"), this book also explains how you can fine-tune your diet and supplementation to fight these infections, whether they are viral, fungal, or bacterial (a different approach for each). The same for athletes. My only criticism is that they only give 1 sentence to the classes of diseases which fare better avoiding starch and, instead, getting their carbs from fruit and honey (such as Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Spondylitis, and other within the class; as well as some other diseases). While this diet/lifestyle is very easy to combine with a GAPS approach, with carbs from simply sugars and not starch, this goes unsaid and the authors tend to prefer starches for most. In short, this is the best book out there for a well-researched, unbiased view on diet and how it impacts our lives and health. I actually recommend for those who really care to read their blog, and then go buy the book for the relatives who probably won't read the blog on their own.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2013
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V. Toniolo
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 3
One of the better food, diet, and health books available, but with significant drawbacks
Format: Kindle
Paul and Shou-Ching Jaminet present the most cogent argument in favor of ancestral-style eating that I have ever read. In fact, I never really understood the logic behind Paleo until I read Perfect Health Diet. I applaud their scientific rigor and willingness to challenge dietary dogma, Paleo or otherwise. There is no question that removing all grains and legumes from one's diet is incredibly effective for people with autoimmune diseases and some other chronic, intractable health conditions. But when taking the evolutionary perspective on human diets it's also important to recognize that many cultures have thrived on grains and legumes for millennia, and humans have evolved some clever ways to extract nutrients from foods that would otherwise be toxic through the use of prolonged soaking, sprouting, and fermentation, all techniques that are very effective at reducing seed toxicity. I think that properly prepared grains and legumes can be a nutritious part of our diets, at least for those of us who do not suffer from autoimmunity. Stephen Guyenet has written excellent posts on legumes (wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2013/11/beans-lentils-and-paleo-diet.html) and grains (wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/search/label/lectins). I also wish that the Jaminets had delved a little bit deeper into the subject of fatty fish from a sustainability standpoint. They recommend that we eat fatty fish, but make no mention of seafood sustainability and the importance of avoiding farmed fish, especially farmed (aka "Atlantic") salmon. Farmed fish are fed soy, corn, and pellets made of smaller fatty fish like anchovies and sardines. Entire small fish fisheries off the coast of Western South America are being destroyed in order to feed our hunger for farmed salmon, while we have plenty of small fatty fish we can eat (but choose not to) here on the west coast of North America (herring, sardines, anchovies, etc.). I bet that the fat profile (3:6 ratio) of farmed salmon is not nearly as good as that of wild salmon and smaller cold water fish. That said, I highly respect and follow their writing and will continue to look forward to their excellent work.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2014
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Jean
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Understanding and Making the Best of Our Emotions
I am honored to write a review on this book, as I am heartfully thankful for how my mind was opened to a better consciousness of emotions. It was amazing to realize that our emotions are not an innate part of us, but have been established from interactions with others, especially early in our life by learning from our parents and siblings. Learning emotions is a part of our thinking process. With this knowledge, my approach to emotions has fundamentally changed. Emotions are how we react and how we perceive truth. Emotions become a part of who we are and how others perceive us. The book enlightened my perception and gave me a whole new way of viewing myself and how my emotions may not have matured. With this understanding, the book gives us advice on how to learn to improve (mature) our emotions. First by knowing and followed by determination to learn. The presentation of methods to make improvements with planning and accountability to oneself gives hope and is reassuring. We can learn to mature our emotions. When we have achieved our goals of self-emotional maturity, the book further has methods to share with others (especially family) to bring us together in a positive open way. This book has been a real eye-opening to me. I recommend the reading of this book to spread this awareness. A positive way forward with means to achieve a better life. The book is very thorough and provides documented ways to do the planning and accountability to accomplish goals. Always thinking positively. My thanks to the Author.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2025

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