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In my seemingly never - ending pursuit to find house plant that are both unique and easy to care for , I come across pencil plants a few years ago . Apart from those two criteria , my third is that I need plants that can either withstand or thrive on disregard , and pencil cactus really fits the bill .
If like me , you ’re busy on the homestead , at an off - internet site job , or do n’t need particular home flora , I can assure you pencil cactus is the indoor industrial plant for you . With its unequaled look and lack of pauperization , it ’s an indoor plant you wo n’t regret trying .
What is Pencil Plant?
Pencil plant ( Euphorbia tirucalli ) is really a succulent , rather than a true cactus . Its photosynthesis takes plaza in its stalk , not the leaves .
Sometimes name milk bush , because of the white latex - type sap that comes when the plant is cut , be cognisant that the sap is toxic .
You may also see this plant called pencil cactus , pencil Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , fire sticks , fire stick tree , or Indian tree spurge . It has a luck of public figure !
Originally from its aboriginal area of Africa and India , this is a plant that sleep together the semi - arid environment that it come from .
More commonly acquire as an indoor house industrial plant , it will also fly high outside in the right environment . Just be aware that it can grow outside quite quickly to about 30 feet tall and six metrical foot wide .
Inside it can grow to six to eight feet if you grant it to , and this is a plant that will happily take the gay spot in the house .
you’re able to grow pencil cactus outside if you survive in USDA Growing zona 11 and 12 . It will originate cursorily and up to 30 foot tall and six feet wide . If you have a sunny area with that amount of blank space try growing it outside .
Outside those zones , pencil cactus want to be planted in pots inside as a mansion plant .
The optimal temperature to mature pencil plants is 65 - 75ºF. Anything below 50ºF , say bye-bye .
How to Propagate Pencil Cactus
Pencil cactus is first-rate - comfortable to distribute from cuttings . You must wear down gloves and consider wearing middle protection because the sap can cause severe irritation to the tegument , especially to those with an allergy to latex . Also , this works is toxic to animals , so do n’t reserve pieces to drop to the floor .
Growing Indoors
Pencil cactus is a survivor . It does n’t demand dozens of water or feeding , but it is fussy on placement .
Because pencil cactus likes to have the soil dry out , practice an glassless clay pot so the moisture can disappear through the sides .
There should be plenty of drainage maw in the base . It ’s important the root system of cactus pencil does n’t sit down in wet dirt .
select your gay windowpane . This is not a plant that only wants indirect sunlight . It have it away full sun , just not too close to the crank that it gets magnified sunlight . The temperature should be between 65 - 75ºF with no sudden cold winds from doors , window , or AC social unit .
A Dixie - facing windowpane is perfect , especially if humidness is blue . Pencil industrial plant will be fine with a lilliputian humidity , as long as it does n’t prevent the stain from dry out out .
The correct growing medium is important . The pH should be around 6.0 . A good quality cactus or succulent arise medium is best , but double - chit the pH layer .
Water
lacrimation pencil cactus is where many citizenry go incorrect . After all , would n’t a plant baby-sit in full sunlight want lots of water ? The reply is a resounding no . Remember , this is a succulent .
permit the soil to dry out out whole after lachrymation . I would go so far as to say if the stain is somewhat moist and you ’re unsure about lachrymation or not , do n’t . Come back in a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or two , and if the filth is now dry , give it a swooning watering .
If you ’re new to pencil cactus and a little nervous about over or under - lacrimation , I irrigate mine every ten days or so . That ’s how low-spirited - maintenance they are .
In the winter they require less watering , down to about once a month .
Fertilizer
Use a well - balanced houseplant fertilizer . I favour to use a cactus or succulent - specificfertilizer , because you feed pencil cactus so infrequently that it ’s best to give it the perfect amount and type of nutrients it needs .
Feed once in the spring when the sunlight begins to warm up , and that will be enough for the year .
Repotting Pencil Cactus
Pencil cactus will withstand cramped pots up to a degree , but they ’re leisurely to repot if you follow a duad of suggestions . Repot if all the drainage jam are showing thick root emergence .
Growing Outside
Pencil cactus is a perfect pick for a sunny area as long as there is distance . Plant it somewhere hoi polloi or pets wo n’t brush past and be give away to the milky cosh which may bother their tegument if they accidentally break a piece off . Remember pencil cactus is toxic to pet .
Choose a website with full Sunday all day . The soil must be well - draining , so it ’s best to dig up a pickle twice the size of the solution ball you are planting , and use bagged cactus soil if you are able .
Consistent temperatures of 65 - 75ºF are needed . Anything below 50ºF you will need to plant in can and move within as the temperature cool .
As with indoor pencil cactus , urine infrequently about once a fortnight , but ensure the top three inches of grease have dried out before re - lacrimation . fertilise with a balanced cactus or succulent fertilizer once a class in spring .
Companion Planting for Pencil Cactus
In the cooler clock time of the year , the pencil cactus provides various bright shades of scandalmongering , pinkish , and orangish . Plant standardized plant that are drought tolerant .
Common Problems and Solutions for Growing Pencil Cactus
One of the best things about pencil works is how easy it is to like for . It ’s rarely troubled by pestilence and diseases . But that does n’t imply it ’s immune to problems . Here are the things to see for .
Drooping
Just like it ’s name , pencil cactus should be upright and look like a bunch of pencils at different angles . Drooping can be cause by a few things .
Spider Mites
Spider mites are the most unwashed pest for pencil cactus . Read our article on how to describe and make out withspider speck here .
Mealybugs
You often find mealybug on a pencil cactus that has been weakened due to over - lacrimation . They can be very destructive when their numbers build up .
Read our clause on how to discover and address withmealybugs here .
Root Rot
Due to the pauperism for sparse watering , well - enfeeble soil , and minimum fertilization , pencil plants will hurt from tooth root rot if those condition are not adhere to .
Here is the method acting I used when someone over - water my pencil cactus and it get ascendent buncombe . It looked droopy and started to yellow . Some of the stem were mushy and the dirt in the muckle had a rotten smell to it .
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