Pencil cactus
Euphorbia tirucalli
Also called Firesticks and Milk bush
Houseplant · Succulents & cactiThe white sap burns skin and blinds — never prune it without gloves and never near your face. The worst plant on this list to cut casually.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 18 daysSoak, then bone-dry — wait until the soil is dry right through — lift the pot, it tells you.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Every 90 days
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Indoors, or out in high summer RHS H1B, to 10°C
- Size
- 2 m tall · 1 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- Eastern and Southern Africa
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses. Signs: irritates the mouth and stomach and sometimes causes vomiting, but it is generally less toxic than its reputation.
PeopleHarmful if eaten, and irritates skin
HandlingTake care handling it
The white latex is among the most caustic of any houseplant — it blisters skin and can cause lasting eye injury; gloves and eye protection to prune.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-07-31.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.