African Milk River Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is a succulent that resembles a cactus and is often grown indoors .
Marty Baldwin
The African milk tree(Euphorbia trigona)goes by many name , admit cathedral cactus , friendship cactus , and good luck cactus . Despite hold multiple names containing the Book cactus , it ’s not a cactus but a succulent . Because this plant life demand hot temperatures , the African milk tree only spring up outdoors in USDA Zones 9–11 , found in California , Arizona , Florida , and parts of Texas . Here ’s what you need to hump about growing this succulent tree .
Credit:Marty Baldwin
Like most Euphorbias , the African milk tree produces whitish sap that is toxic to pets and humans . It is safest to wear glove and goggles when work with the flora .
Where to Plant African Milk Tree
If you endure inUSDA Zones9–11 , you may plant African milk tree outside . pick out an area that receivespartial sunlightand has sufficient blank for the tree to reach a height of up to 10 infantry .
Most people in the U.S. grow African milk trees indoors . prefer a south- , west- , or east - face windowpane that receives at least six 60 minutes of promising sunlight daily .
How and When to Plant African Milk Tree
African milk trees can be lend home as houseplant at any time of class . prefer an area of your home that receive mickle of bright , verbatim spark for at least six time of day a day , and place it aside from any hot or stale muster .
African Milk Tree Care Tips
African milk tree thrive when they are properly care for , experience fair to middling Christ Within , and are n’t divulge to cold temperature .
Light
African milk trees do best in partial to full Sunday . Place them in an area outdoors that receive partial sunlight . If growing them indoors , put them where they receive bright , verbatim sunlight .
Soil and Water
Thesesucculentscan develop in many type of filth as long as it has safe drainage . Forheavy clay land , add plenty of amendment , such as compost or manure , to see piss drains well . The idealistic soil pH is 6.1 - 7.8 .
African milk tree are drouth tolerant . When uprise alfresco , they need more water supply in the summer . In the winter , water only when the top in of soil is ironical .
Indoor plant typically need water once a hebdomad . Ensure the territory dries out between waterings , and perform an easy soil stay by inserting your fingerbreadth about an in into the ground to essay for wet before watering . Overwatering leads toroot rot .
Temperature and Humidity
African milk trees need hot temperatures to farm outdoors . They do n’t make out well in insensate conditions or frost for long . They can supervise when the temperature drops as low as 32 ° F for a short time . These succulent do best when temperatures are between 60 ° atomic number 9 and 90 ° farad . This succulent prefer moderate humidity of 40 to 60 percent .
Fertilizer
Fertilize an African Milk River tree twice a year — once in the leap and once in the summertime — with a lush fertilizer , follow the operating instructions on the publicity .
Pruning
Pruning is of import to maintain an African milk Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Because they have shallow root systems and can farm tall , older plants can become top - heavy , make them candidate for fall over in some circumstance . In early outflow , remove any dead or broken offshoot . Also , hit any branch that scratch on another or heads off in the ill-timed charge . To negociate the plant life ’s height , cut the tallest branches above a leafage node .
Potting and Repotting
To grow an African milk Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree indoors , choose a terra - cotta potwith a drainage cakehole and fill it with well - debilitate , dependable - quality succulent or cactus mix . African milk trees do n’t require one-year repotting , but if you see roots come from the drain gob , it is time to repot it .
Pests and Problems
sound African milk trees typically do n’t have egress with pests or diseases . Occasionally , mealybugsmay make their domicile in this succulent . If you spot mealybugs , off them using a report towel or cotton plant swab with some rubbing alcohol or insecticidal soap .
Overwatering this tree can lead to fungal and root issues . Some signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves , drop leaves , and a squishy grain . If it ’s underwatered , the peel can also dry out and drop leaves .
How to Propagate African Milk Tree
African milk Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is simple to propagate by taking a stem clipping .
Types of African Milk Tree
There are two types of African Milk River Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree plants : Euphorbia trigona , the fleeceable one , andEuphorbia trigona‘Rubra ’ , a preponderantly crimson one . They take the same care , although Rubra can handle a little more full sun .
Frequently Asked Questions
When establish outside , this plant grows 1 to 2 feet annually until it gain its maximum height of about 10 foot . When develop indoors , the plant typically grow to about half this height .
If your African milk tree has only a single limb , cut off the end of the main branch to encourage it to grow fresh side branches . As those raw side branches develop , repeat the process on them to promote new growth .
Euphorbia . NC State Extension
