African Milk River tree are beautiful and surprisingly well-heeled to turn and worry for . In this Wiley Post , I ’m going to narrate you everything you need to know about Euphorbia trigona plant care , and give you stacks of tips for keep on yours happy and hefty .
Whether you ’re into indoor flora , or looking for a stellar addition to your landscape gardening in warmer climate , then African Milk River Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is an splendid choice .
With the proper care , your Euphorbia trigona can live for tenner , and will grow into an impressive specimen .
Large African milk tree growing outdoors
take on to watch all you postulate to know about how to develop African milk trees .
include what kind of soil and sunshine they require , how to water supply and prune them , plus many other fundamental tips for stay fresh yours thriving .
Table of Contents
What Are African Milk Trees?
Many people marvel what an African Milk River tree is . Is it a tree , a cactus , or a bush ? Euphorbia trigona are are actuallysucculents , and they originated in West Africa .
In their aboriginal home ground , these fast - spring up plants shape dense thickets . But here in the US , they ’re more commonly kept indoors as houseplants .
Its vulgar name comes from the milklike white sap that is within and bleeds out when it ’s slue or damage . But it also goes by the names candelabrum cactus or cathedral cactus due to its unique cast .
amply grown specimens can hit 8 ’ marvellous . They reckon Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - like , with ridge , rectangular branches gain upward into a dense , candelabra shape atop a narrow , individual bottom stem .
The stems have two sets of spikes all along the out ridges , and the branches organize small leaves between the spikes on the tips .
Different Types
There are a few different types of African Milk River trees you could turn . While most are green , you may also come across the Euphorbia trigona ‘ Rubra ’ or ‘ Royal Red ’ .
It requires the same caution . But , when expose to bright sunshine , the tips will turn blood-red along the stem ridging and leaves , creating a striking bi - colored appearance .
Toxicity
All constituent of Euphorbia trigonas are poisonous if ingested , and the white-hot sap can be a tegument and centre irritant . So , if you ’re upset about the toxicity , then make certain to take steps to protect yourself .
Using proper equipment , likeglovesandprotective glassful , is an soft way to palm them safely . In any caseful , it ’s a ripe idea to keep it out of the reach of kids and pets .
How To Grow Euphorbia trigona
Before we chit-chat about how to care for African milk trees , let ’s go over a few fundamental details about where to develop them so you do it you ’ll be setting yourself up for succeeder .
Hardiness
Euphorbia trigonas are a perennial succulent that will know for many , many year given a dry , warm mood that does n’t throw off below freezing .
Here in the US , that most often means they ’re indoor plants , at least for part of the year .
But they are intrepid in zones 9 - 11 . So if you live in a strong location , you’re able to go away them outside in your garden year round .
Where To Grow African Milk Trees
If you experience in a area that experiences below suspend temperatures , you ’ll need to bring your African Milk River Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree indoors during the wintertime .
For those live on in warm enough mood , Euphorbia trigona will happily grow outdoors where it can get lots of direct sun . Make certain you give it plenty of way though , these babies can get Brobdingnagian .
I bring mine deep down for the insensate months , then move it back outside during the summer . If you do this , be sure to divulge it to the unmediated sun gradually in the fountain to prevent sunburn .
African Milk Tree Care Instructions
Now that you jazz where to grow your African milk tree , countenance ’s find out the IN and outs of how to provide the best care .
Light
These succulents bed Inner Light and will need a gay location , such as a south confront window indoors .
If you start to see leggy ontogenesis , it ’s trace for light . So move it to a bright location , or add agrow lightto help it along .
If you ’re able to set them outdoors in the garden , your candelabra cactus will do best in full sun . But they can brook partial or light shade .
Keep in mind that they are extremely susceptible to sunburn . So , if yours is fresh or it ’s used to indoor lighting , gradually stick in it to the full sun alfresco .
Water
Euphorbia trigona is drought resistant and will thrive when allow to dry out wholly between waterings .
They do n’t tolerate wet soil or soggy foot , and overwatering is the issue one cause of issuing for them . A little disregard is a adept thing !
In the summertime during their most active emergence period , you may need to increase waterings . But you should still always check the soil first .
If you ’re prostrate to overwatering , I commend picking up an inexpensivesoil moisture gaugeto aid you get it correct .
Related Post : How To Water A Succulent Plant
Fertilizer
African Milk River trees do n’t need any special type of fertilizer so as to fly high . But , just like all plants , they will profit from being fed once in a while .
The best clock time to fertilize them is in the spring or summer during their most dynamic rise period .
Choose general purpose and all - rude options , like organicsucculent fertilizer , houseplant nutrient , orcompost teato give it a goodish boost .
void celluloid chemical fertilizers , as they do more harm than honest , and do n’t feed them at all in the fall or winter during their hibernating menses .
Soil
Just like all succulent , growing African Milk River Tree is wanton in a sandy , tight drain stain . They are n’t special about pH , so giving them a good home is pretty promiscuous .
you’re able to make your ownDIY succulent soil , leverage aquality commercial-grade potting territory , or utilize agritty mixing .
Outside , if your grease is too rich or dense , amend it with someperlite , coarse sand , orpumiceto ameliorate the drain .
Transplanting & Repotting
Euphorbia trigona has shallow roots and will jubilantly grow in the same pot for many years . But , as these towering specimens matured , they can become top heavy and fall over .
If you remark leaning or tipping , it ’s time for a enceinte , punishing locoweed . The good news isthey’re very easy to repot .
To avoid the risk of overwatering , only go up one pot size , and check that it has slew of drainage holes . Then simply position it at the same depth it was in the original container .
Give it a light watering in its new home , and let it settle for two weeks before resuming regular aid .
If yours becomes very large outdoors , it can be pretty difficult to transfer or move . So in strong areas , ensure you ascertain a expert spot for it in your garden , where it can live for decades to occur .
Pruning
As gorgeous as a full grown African milk tree is , they can get really self-aggrandising . So , if an 8 substructure spiky plant is too much for you , learning how to prune it can be a great way to bring off the size of it and uphold the shape .
They can wield a hard pruning , so you ca n’t really go wrong here . Just ensure to practice a clayey - dutypair of prunersor a sharp tongue so you do n’t crush the bow . I also highly recommend wearing bothglovesandeye security .
you’re able to cut them anywhere along the stems , or even remove full branch if you want . The more you trim down off , the bushier they will become .
Uneven pruning will make them more susceptible to tip off over . So make your cuts around the entire flora to keep the weight equally allot .
Common Pests
Outdoor African Milk River trees , and healthy indoor one , do n’t often have issues with pests . But , occasionally you might lot with spider mites , mealybug , whiteflies , or ordered series .
Thankfully there are a few easynatural curative and treatmentsthat work to get disembarrass of these pests .
Use organicinsecticidal soapor aneem oilsolution to spray on affected plants . Or , dip a cotton fiber swob inrubbing alcoholand dab it on to wipe out and get rid of the bugs .
You ’ll by all odds need to apply these remedy more than once for serious infestations . In any case , the best way to avoid pestilence is to keep yours healthy following the instructions above .
How To Propagate Euphorbia Trigona
It ’s easy to propagate African milk trees from stem cuttings of any size . For best results , take a 3 - 4 ” cut ( or carry through some while crop ) and rinse it under coolheaded water until the sap stops flowing .
Then position it in a dry spot for several days until the wound calluses over . Once calloused , dip the cut end intorooting hormone , and localize it into asandy soil mix .
Keep the rooting culture medium dry , but the aura humid , and in about two months your cutting should take antecedent . You ’ll know it has root when you see fresh development on top .
Troubleshooting Common Problems
African Milk River Tree are pretty low upkeep and loose to care for . But if you run into any of the issues below , here are my tips for how to get yours expand again .
Euphorbia trigona Keeps Falling Over
Short roots and lots of top - heavy branches make tippytoe a common issue for Euphorbia trigona . To keep it from fall over , there are a few things you’re able to do .
If possible , repot it into a great , heavier container . You could also cut back it down to a more achievable size of it , or apply aheavy - responsibility staketo stop up it and keep it upright .
Yellowing Leaves
It ’s very common for African milk trees to lose leaves as they senesce . But if the leaves are yellowing , it ’s a sign of over or underwatering .
To fix this issuance , ensure you are contribute it the correct amount of moisture . Let the dirt dry out out between tearing , and always enfeeble off any excess afterward .
Brown Spots
Brown spots on your African milk tree can be triggered by a number of issues . The most common one is call cork up .
Corking is a instinctive process that spring thick , firm brown patches on bag of the stem as it ages . It is totally normal and nothing to be concern about .
However , browned situation can also be get by sunburn , bugs , or rot due to overwatering .
Sunburn
Like I ’ve refer a few clip , sunburn is a really common progeny for African milk trees . It usually happens when they ’re used to being inside , and then they ’re on the spur of the moment exposed to unmediated sunshine outdoors .
To prevent this , lento introduce it to the sunlight when displace it outside . If yours is see tan indoors , move it to a different locating that experience bright brightness level , but is protected from the red-hot good afternoon rays .
Root Rot
If the spots near the base of your plant life are diffuse and squishy , you ’re deal with root decomposition , which was likely because of overwatering .
Sadly , there is no remedy . Once it get going to rot , it will keep to move up the stem , and finally pour down the whole plant . If this is happening to yours , it ’s dear to take healthy newspaper clipping and set about again .
FAQs
Now that I ’ve discussed exactly how to get and like for an African milk Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , I ’ll reply the most common lingering dubiousness . Read on to see if I ’ve already answered yours .
Is the African milk tree really a tree?
No , the African milk tree is not really a tree , but a succulent that grows very tall and shaggy-haired , give it the appearance of a unseasoned sapling .
Why is the trigona called a “milk tree”?
The Euphorbia trigona is called a ‘ milk tree diagram ’ because it seep a milky , white sap when it ’s trim back or damaged .
Is African milk tree poisonous?
Yes , all role of the African Milk River tree are vicious if ingested . The white sap can also be a skin and eye irritant . So it ’s best to always wearsafety glassesandgloveswhen plow the flora .
Why is my African milk tree dying?
The number one reason why African Milk River tree start dying is due to overwatering , which will cause it to moulder from the bottom up .
Other possible causes are an photo to freezing temperatures , severe tan , or a large pest infestation .
Why is my African milk tree turning red?
If your African Milk River tree is turn red then you probably have the Royal Red assortment . They will turn red when give away to acute , lineal light .
This is completely normal and nothing to worry about , just ride back and enjoy their beautiful red tips .
How tall do African milk trees get?
African milk Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree get very marvellous in their native home ground . They can grow to be as tall as 8 feet in height , but can be kept small through pruning , if want .
Does the African milk tree flower?
It ’s very rare for African milk tree to flower , especially when develop indoors . However , mature and tall bushes that are outdoors may get small , peanut white flowers in the summertime .
How fast does African milk tree grow?
African milk trees grow fast , and can get several feet improbable every year .
Now that you know how to grow African milk tree , you ’re ready to bring one to your plant collection . With a child from the glasshouse , or a clipping from a friend , you ’ll be able to grow a towering , full Euphorbia trigona easily with these care tip and trick .
If you require to learn all there is to experience about maintaining healthy indoor plant , then you need myHouseplant Care eBook . It will show you everything you require to acknowledge about how to keep every plant in your menage thriving . Download your written matter now !
