African milk barrel (Euphorbia Horrida)
Softball Size
$55.00
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African milk barrel (Euphorbia Horrida)
$55.00
Key Information on African Milk Barrel
- Appearance: They are often confused with cacti due to their thick, ribbed, cylindrical stems that resemble barrels, often clumping together. They have sharp, formidable spines that can be brown, black, or grey.
- Flowers: During the summer, small, solitary, yellow or green cyathia (flowers) bloom, usually near the top of the plant.
- Toxicity: The plant contains a milky, white latex (sap) that is highly irritating to the skin and eyes, and can cause blistering in the mouth if ingested. Handle with care, preferably using gloves.
- Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct light, making a south or southwest-facing window ideal.
- Watering Needs: Requires a "soak and dry" method. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. They are very sensitive to overwatering, which causes root rot. Water sparingly in winter.
- Soil and Drainage: Requires a well-draining succulent or cactus mix, often amended with perlite, pumice, or gravel to prevent water retention.
- Hardiness: Suitable for USDA Zones 9a-11b, meaning they are not frost-tolerant and should be kept in temperatures above freezing
Common Issues and Care Tips
- Overwatering: If the plant becomes squishy or translucent, it is likely receiving too much water.
- Growth Rate: They are slow-growing but can form large, dense, and impressive, branched, or single-stemmed specimens over many years.
- Varieties: E. horrida is the most common, but there are others, including the E. polygona (often called "Snowflake" due to white markings) and the crested form (E. horrida var. monstrosa).
- Fertilizing: Feed with a diluted succulent fertilizer once a month during spring and summer.