{"product_id":"pencil-cactus-3-pot","title":"Pencil Cactus - 3\" Pot","description":"\u003cp\u003ePencil Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) is not a true cactus but a striking succulent shrub of slender, pencil-thick green stems that branch densely into a coral-like, almost leafless silhouette. Fast-growing and very drought-hardy, it makes a bold architectural specimen for pots and warm gardens, and the popular 'Firesticks' form flushes orange-red in cool sun. Common across India as a hedge and folk-medicine plant, it tolerates heat and neglect with ease. IMPORTANT: its milky white sap is highly caustic and toxic, irritating skin and eyes severely - always wear gloves and keep away from pets and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEuphorbiaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAfrica and India\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1-5 m (much smaller potted)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1-2 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePencil-thin green succulent stems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTiny yellow (insignificant)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical to subtropical, arid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to bright light.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoak-and-dry; very drought-tolerant, water sparingly.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGritty, fast-draining sandy\/cactus mix.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-40 C; protect from frost.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight succulent feed once or twice a year.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrune with gloves and eye protection; sap is caustic.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvery 2-3 years; handle with gloves.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStem cuttings (wear gloves; rinse sap, let callus).\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMealybugs; generally pest-resistant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHighly toxic - caustic milky sap irritates skin\/eyes.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery easy (handle with care)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA dramatic architectural specimen for sunny pots, courtyards and xeriscapes, and a traditional living hedge; the Firesticks form is grown for its orange winter colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn India it thrives outdoors in full sun with minimal care; always wear gloves and eye protection when cutting, and rinse cut surfaces before propagating to manage the caustic sap.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water Pencil Cactus?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery sparingly - water only when the soil is bone dry, roughly every 2-3 weeks in summer and rarely in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs the sap really dangerous?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, the milky white sap is highly caustic and can severely irritate skin and eyes; always wear gloves and eye protection and wash off any contact immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much light does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFull sun to very bright light; the Firesticks form needs strong cool-season sun to develop its orange-red colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo, it is toxic and the sap is dangerous; keep it well away from pets and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I propagate it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eTake a stem cutting wearing gloves, rinse off the sap, let the cut callus for several days, then plant in dry gritty soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt can grow at a very bright window, but given its toxic sap and size it is usually better outdoors in a safe spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy are stems turning yellow or mushy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYellow, mushy stems indicate overwatering and rot; cut back watering sharply and ensure fast-draining soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhen and how do I repot it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRepot every 2-3 years in spring wearing gloves, using a gritty cactus mix and a stable, heavy pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt produces tiny, insignificant yellowish flowers in winter; it is grown for its stems, not blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need fertilizer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery little - a light succulent feed once or twice a year is more than enough.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51256280383734,"sku":"PLT-PENCILCACTUS-P03-NA","price":99.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-euphorbia-tirucalli-pencil-tree-succulent-plant.jpg?v=1783923275","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/pencil-cactus-3-pot","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}