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Pencil Cactus
قلم الرصاص (اليوفوربيا تيروكالي) · Euphorbia tirucalli
A succulent with thin green branches like pencils. It handles drought, but its sap is dangerous.
Quick facts
| Arabic name | قلم الرصاص (اليوفوربيا تيروكالي) |
|---|---|
| English name | Pencil Cactus |
| Scientific name | Euphorbia tirucalli |
| Family | Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) |
| Plant type | Shrubby succulent |
| Height | 1 to 3 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
March to May
Harvest
Not harvested
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A shrub with dense round green branches and almost no leaves.
Where it grows
Planted in gardens and pots in all regions.
Soil
Needs sandy, well-drained soil.
Water and irrigation
Needs little water.
Climate and light
Loves sun and heat.
Propagation
From cuttings.
Benefits and uses
- Handles drought
- A nice modern look
Drawbacks
- Its milky sap is poisonous and badly hurts eyes and skin
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Euphorbia tirucalli
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Euphorbia tirucalli
- Wikipedia: Euphorbia tirucalli
- Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) - Plant finder
- ASPCA - Toxic and non-toxic plants list
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)