If you’re looking for a fun and exciting perennial succulent to spice up your home garden, you may have heard about the beautiful firestick plant (Euphorbia tirucalli). This vibrant houseplant, characterized by its green stems and fire-yellow bloom, is known to change colors with the seasons, making it a fan-favorite for those interested in exploring a seasonal look with minimal upkeep requirements. The firestick plant, which is native to Africa, can be one of the most visually stunning additions to your interior or exterior landscape. Though, there is a laundry list of caveats associated with owning them, which makes them quite daunting to some planters. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with a brief but comprehensive guide to firestick planting, upkeep, and ownership, that should allow you to proceed with caution.

What Is The Firestick Plant?

For those not in the know, firestick plants are shrubs or small trees with pencil-thick branches, hence their nickname “the pencil cactus.” When first in bloom, the ovular leaves of the firestick turn yellow, though they eventually change color into orange, pink, and red hues throughout the calendar year, depending on how much sun they get. While many people love the aesthetic of this vibrant plant, it should be noted that there are many dangers associated with the beautiful shrub, including its semi-invasive nature and its highly toxic sap.

The firestick plant does not constantly produce sap, though experts warn that you should never handle them with your bare hands. You should always remove your gloves and thoroughly wash your hands before making any contact with your face or eyes after touching them. When the firestick is damaged, it leaks a corrosive latex sap which can cause temporary blindness when it touches your eyes, and is known to be harmful to other mammals including cats, dogs, and even horses. Furthermore, these colorful trees have been known to spread in invasive patterns, especially in regions such as California, Hawaii, and Florida. While none of the aforementioned states specifically outlaw the purchase and cultivation of the firestick plant, this is something you’ll want to keep in mind before planting.

Where Should You Plant A Firestick?

Firestick plants can be potted for indoor decoration in most locales, though they thrive best in arid climates with warm temperatures and very low humidity. If you plan to cultivate these shrubs in an outdoor location, be sure to plant them in a zone where the ground never freezes, somewhere that allows for plenty of sun and doesn’t receive high levels of foot traffic. Again, the delicate pencil-thick branches can ooze with toxic sap when disturbed, so try to plant your firsticks somewhere off the beaten path and out of the reach of children or local wildlife.

If you still feel that you’re the right person to own one of these gorgeous trees, be sure to plant them in the early days of Spring or Fall. The firestick plant does not tend to see much growth in the dead of the Summer or Winter months, even in its preferred habitat. Larger firestick trees likely require a stake upon relocation, that should aid in its ability to take root. This process generally takes about 2 to 3 months, at which time the stake can be removed, and you can enjoy your vibrant new hydrocarbon.

Basic Upkeep For A Firestick Plant

Once you’ve committed to planting your very own firestick, you’ll have a few basic rules for general upkeep. At first, you’ll want to water your plant once a week to inhibit root development. After a few months, the roots should be firmly in place, at which point you should only water the firestick plant when the soil at its base becomes completely dry. When growing the shrub indoors, be sure to utilize a pot with plenty of drainage, and fertilize with succulent soil for the best results. Beyond that, simply place your plant in the path of plenty of sunlight, and create a high-temperature low-humidity environment where the firestick can thrive.

Luckily, firestick plants don’t require a great deal of care and tenderness, so you’ll have plenty of beauty to marvel at for relatively little work. Realistically, most of your actual labor in keeping the plant will be in keeping it out of harm’s way when your houseguests attempt to touch it. The Euphorbia tirucalli is known to reach heights of up to 25 feet (7.62 m) outdoors when introduced to thriving environments. On rare occasion, your firestick plant may become top-heavy and require re-potting, though this shouldn’t be a perennial concern. Likewise, the shrubbery rarely requires pruning. On the off chance that your pencil cactus does develop some dead, cracked leaves, be sure to prune carefully and wear skin and eye protection when doing so.

Possible Issues With This Plant

Besides the general safety issues associated with firestick plants, you likely won’t encounter many major problems. Still, there are a few semi-common pitfalls to watch out for with this variety of plant, that you may want to study up on before planting. Firesticks aren’t known to attract many pests, though spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids are known to cause issues. Be sure to inspect your plant for signs of bugs and do your best to wash them away before they infest the surrounding area. The most common issue with firestick plants is root rot, which can occur when the cactus receives too much water in too little time. Unless your firestick plant is left outside during a series of monsoons, this can be easily avoided by waiting until your soil is completely dry and drained to water it.

With any luck, your firestick planting journey will go smoothly and unencumbered by pests, rooting failures, or personal injury. While the pencil cactus shrubs are known to be a bit daunting, they are super rewarding to plant and upkeep, and offer your home a bright, vibrant shine unlike any other plant.