Firesticks
Euphorbia tirucalli 'Rosea'
A pencil-thin, branching succulent whose cylindrical stems turn brilliant orange, red, and yellow in cool, sunny weather. It is a dramatic landscape and container plant with slender, leafless stems.
- Light
- Full sun to bright light
- Water
- Very sparingly; drought tolerant
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Firesticks is a cultivar of Euphorbia tirucalli, a tropical African succulent that forms a dense thicket of slender, leafless, pencil-like stems. In bright sun and cool temperatures the stems blaze with fiery orange, red, and golden hues, fading to green in heat and shade.
Despite its cactus-like look it is not a cactus but a euphorbia. When the stems are broken they release a milky white latex sap, a characteristic feature of the euphorbia group.
Fast-growing and extremely drought tolerant, it is popular in warm-climate gardens and as a striking potted accent.
How to identify it
- Stems: Thin, cylindrical, pencil-width branches that fork repeatedly; bright orange to red and yellow in cool sun, greenish in shade or heat
- Leaves: Tiny and short-lived, usually absent, so the plant appears all stems
- Sap: Copious milky white latex when broken
- Size: Can reach several feet tall as a shrub; stays smaller in pots
- Habit: Dense, upright, coral-like branching mass
Care & growing
Light: Full sun produces the brightest fiery color; bright indirect light indoors keeps it healthy but greener.
Water: Highly drought tolerant. Water only when fully dry; overwatering quickly causes rot.
Soil: Gritty, fast-draining cactus or succulent mix.
Temperature: Loves heat but colors up best with cool nights; protect from frost below about 30 F (-1 C).
Feeding: Minimal; a light succulent feed in spring is plenty.
Propagation: From stem cuttings - let cuttings callus for several days before planting.
Habitat & origin
Euphorbia tirucalli is native to semi-arid regions of Africa, particularly eastern and southern Africa, and has naturalized in many tropical areas including India and Brazil.
The 'Rosea' / Firesticks cultivar is grown ornamentally in warm climates such as the southern US, Australia, and the Mediterranean, and as a houseplant elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Is Firesticks a cactus?
No. It looks cactus-like but is a Euphorbia, a different family. Unlike cacti it releases milky white sap when cut.
Why aren't my stems turning red?
The fiery color needs full sun plus cool temperatures. In heat or low light the stems stay green.
How much water does it need?
Very little. It is extremely drought tolerant; water only when the soil is bone dry.
How big does Firesticks get?
As a landscape shrub in warm climates it can reach several feet tall and wide; in containers it stays much smaller and can be kept compact by pruning.
Firesticks guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Firesticks.
How to Care for Firesticks
Grow vivid Firesticks (Euphorbia tirucalli 'Rosea') with full sun, very sparing water, and gritty, fast-draining soil.
Firesticks Identification Guide
Identify Firesticks (Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire') by its pencil-thin, coral-and-yellow branching stems and milky sap.
