If you're looking for a beautiful and distinctive plant to add to your collection- look no further than the Candelabra Cactus, also known as Euphorbia ingens. With its towering height and striking features, this succulent tree is sure to be a conversation starter in any room or garden. But before you bring one home, it's important to know all about its care requirements and potential toxicity.
This Candelabra cactus is part of the Spurge family, which is one of the largest genera of flowering plants in the world. Spurges are similar to cacti in terms of their ability to withstand droughts and their overall shape, but they are not actually cacti.
The Euphorbia ingens (often known as the Cowboy cactus), is an impressive succulent tree that can reach heights of 40 feet in its natural habitat. This cactus-like tree is perfect for anyone seeking a low-maintenance addition to their rock or succulent garden. With its dark green stem, yellow to greenish yellow flowers, and dark red to purple fruits, the Euphorbia ingens thrives in dry climates and makes a beautiful addition to any landscape.
Although it is native to the arid regions of southern Africa, this Euphorbia can be successfully cultivated indoors in any climate. When grown indoors, this succulent typically reaches a height of 8 to 10 feet. However, regardless of its size, it is a relatively easy plant to care for.
Additionally, this plant is not as highly susceptible to pests or diseases, making it a low-maintenance option for even the most novice gardener. So, whether you live in a hot, dry climate or are looking for an easy-to-care-for indoor plant, the Euphorbia ingens is a great option for you!
Watering Needs
Watering your candelabra cactus plant is important, especially during the spring and summer months. These plants need deep irrigation to keep the soil moist, but not too wet. Make sure you check the soil before watering, as these plants do not like to be waterlogged or soggy.
Usually, watering once every two or three weeks is ample during the summer. In the winter, if it doesn't rain you still should only water your candelabra plant less at once a month. If the plant doesn't receive enough moisture for an extended period of time, discoloration, pale stems, and browning can occur leading to stunted growth. In contrast, overwatering can cause root rot and fungal infection.
Light Requirements
The candelabra cactus plants thrive best in bright, sunny environments. It cannot tolerate full shade or low light. This candelabra cactus should be planted in full sun outdoors. To ensure that your cactus thrives, provide it with 8-10 hours of direct light and a minimum of 5-6 hours of survivable light.
When grown indoors, place it in the sunniest place in your house. This cactus may benefit from shade in consistently hot climates. It is ideal to grow this cactus in a west- or south-facing window.
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The candelabra plant likes very airy, porous, nutrient-rich soil with a pH of 5.5 - 6.5. These Cacti require fast-draining soil that dries completely between waterings. It must have a sandy texture and a low water-holding capacity, just like desert soil.
Soggy soil can damage your cactus and contributes to bacterial and fungal rot. In addition, because of a lack of oxygen, soggy soil substitutes air pockets with water, resulting in an anaerobic environment that can kill your plant.
And let's not forget about fertilizing! Your cactus only needs a tiny bit applied once a year in springtime with a natural organic fertilizer that has lower doses of NPK (5-10-5). No harsh chemicals here, just pure, natural goodness that lasts longer and encourages nutrient absorption, so your cactus stays happy as a clam.
Hardiness Zones & More
Euphorbia ingens is a tall succulent tree that is native to warm, dry climates. They prefer warm, dry weather and cannot endure prolonged exposure to cold or precipitation. They are therefore particularly well-suited to indoor cultivation, which has contributed to their widespread use as houseplants. Although they may survive briefly in temperatures as low as 28 degrees Fahrenheit, these plants are best kept in environments that are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Therefore, they are suitable for outdoor cultivation all year round in USDA zones 10 - 11. Outside of these areas, growers can grow Euphorbia ingens year-round indoors or in pots so the plants can spend the winter indoors.
The key to the successful cultivation of this succulent tree is to provide them with the correct temperature and humidity levels.
| Bloom Season | Fall, winter |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Euphorbia ingens |
| Common Name | Candelabra tree, Candelabra cactus, African candelabra tree |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Flower Color | Yellow, green |
| Genus | Euphorbia |
| Growth Habit | Branched |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Hardiness Zone | 10, 11 |
| Mature Size | 40 ft. tall (outdoor), 8 10 ft. tall (indoor) |
| Native Area | Southern Africa |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Propagation | By stem cuttings |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | specialized succulents potting soil |
| Special Features | Dense growth, easy to grow |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Toxic for humans, toxic for pets |
| Watering Needs | Low |
- Reviews
- Questions
United StatesCandelabra Tree - Euphorbia ingens
I love it but is turning yellow
- Description
- Features
If you're looking for a beautiful and distinctive plant to add to your collection- look no further than the Candelabra Cactus, also known as Euphorbia ingens. With its towering height and striking features, this succulent tree is sure to be a conversation starter in any room or garden. But before you bring one home, it's important to know all about its care requirements and potential toxicity.
This Candelabra cactus is part of the Spurge family, which is one of the largest genera of flowering plants in the world. Spurges are similar to cacti in terms of their ability to withstand droughts and their overall shape, but they are not actually cacti.
The Euphorbia ingens (often known as the Cowboy cactus), is an impressive succulent tree that can reach heights of 40 feet in its natural habitat. This cactus-like tree is perfect for anyone seeking a low-maintenance addition to their rock or succulent garden. With its dark green stem, yellow to greenish yellow flowers, and dark red to purple fruits, the Euphorbia ingens thrives in dry climates and makes a beautiful addition to any landscape.
Although it is native to the arid regions of southern Africa, this Euphorbia can be successfully cultivated indoors in any climate. When grown indoors, this succulent typically reaches a height of 8 to 10 feet. However, regardless of its size, it is a relatively easy plant to care for.
Additionally, this plant is not as highly susceptible to pests or diseases, making it a low-maintenance option for even the most novice gardener. So, whether you live in a hot, dry climate or are looking for an easy-to-care-for indoor plant, the Euphorbia ingens is a great option for you!
Watering Needs
Watering your candelabra cactus plant is important, especially during the spring and summer months. These plants need deep irrigation to keep the soil moist, but not too wet. Make sure you check the soil before watering, as these plants do not like to be waterlogged or soggy.
Usually, watering once every two or three weeks is ample during the summer. In the winter, if it doesn't rain you still should only water your candelabra plant less at once a month. If the plant doesn't receive enough moisture for an extended period of time, discoloration, pale stems, and browning can occur leading to stunted growth. In contrast, overwatering can cause root rot and fungal infection.
Light Requirements
The candelabra cactus plants thrive best in bright, sunny environments. It cannot tolerate full shade or low light. This candelabra cactus should be planted in full sun outdoors. To ensure that your cactus thrives, provide it with 8-10 hours of direct light and a minimum of 5-6 hours of survivable light.
When grown indoors, place it in the sunniest place in your house. This cactus may benefit from shade in consistently hot climates. It is ideal to grow this cactus in a west- or south-facing window.
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The candelabra plant likes very airy, porous, nutrient-rich soil with a pH of 5.5 - 6.5. These Cacti require fast-draining soil that dries completely between waterings. It must have a sandy texture and a low water-holding capacity, just like desert soil.
Soggy soil can damage your cactus and contributes to bacterial and fungal rot. In addition, because of a lack of oxygen, soggy soil substitutes air pockets with water, resulting in an anaerobic environment that can kill your plant.
And let's not forget about fertilizing! Your cactus only needs a tiny bit applied once a year in springtime with a natural organic fertilizer that has lower doses of NPK (5-10-5). No harsh chemicals here, just pure, natural goodness that lasts longer and encourages nutrient absorption, so your cactus stays happy as a clam.
Hardiness Zones & More
Euphorbia ingens is a tall succulent tree that is native to warm, dry climates. They prefer warm, dry weather and cannot endure prolonged exposure to cold or precipitation. They are therefore particularly well-suited to indoor cultivation, which has contributed to their widespread use as houseplants. Although they may survive briefly in temperatures as low as 28 degrees Fahrenheit, these plants are best kept in environments that are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Therefore, they are suitable for outdoor cultivation all year round in USDA zones 10 - 11. Outside of these areas, growers can grow Euphorbia ingens year-round indoors or in pots so the plants can spend the winter indoors.
The key to the successful cultivation of this succulent tree is to provide them with the correct temperature and humidity levels.
| Bloom Season | Fall, winter |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Euphorbia ingens |
| Common Name | Candelabra tree, Candelabra cactus, African candelabra tree |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Flower Color | Yellow, green |
| Genus | Euphorbia |
| Growth Habit | Branched |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Hardiness Zone | 10, 11 |
| Mature Size | 40 ft. tall (outdoor), 8 10 ft. tall (indoor) |
| Native Area | Southern Africa |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Propagation | By stem cuttings |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | specialized succulents potting soil |
| Special Features | Dense growth, easy to grow |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Toxic for humans, toxic for pets |
| Watering Needs | Low |
- Reviews
- Questions
United StatesCandelabra Tree - Euphorbia ingens
I love it but is turning yellow