Ian

Euphorbia

Euphorbia

• 
  Bright light
• 
  Easy care

• Ian likes...
  • 
    Light watering

    He’s used to deserts so his water needs are very modest. Let him dry out fully between drinks.

  • 
    Bright light

    He likes his rays. Give him the brightest spot available. He’ll take all the sun you can give him.

  • 
    Feeding

    Give a cactus-specific feed, diluted to half strength, about once every two months in spring and summer.

• Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Euphorbia

  Plant type

  Indoor

  Air purifying

  No

  Plant height (including pot)

  55-65cm

  Pet/baby safe

  Sap highly toxic on skin or if ingested

  Nursery pot size

  21cm

• About euphorbia

  For more care advice about Ian, check out ourcomplete guide to cactus care.

  The euphorbia looks like the quintessential cactus, although it’s technically not one (it grows very very tiny leaves, which cacti do not). It’s native to Southern Africa, where it stands out in the dry scrublands, basking in the blazing sun. As it grows, sometimes almost ten metres tall, its trunk becomes woody. Eventually, it becomes a strange, bulbous tree. Often it will flower and grow round, red fruit.

  As a houseplant it won’t become a tree, or grow flowers and fruit (we don’t have the necessary conditions). It will remain a tall, handsome plant that deals very well with living inside. When caring for it, think desert: Lots and lots of light; not a lot of water.

  Please be aware that Ian's sap is poisonous. It can cause a rash if it gets on your skin and it's highly toxic if consumed. We don't recommend him for homes with small children or curious pets.

  Did you know?

  The milky latex inside it is poisonous, but some indigenous groups in Africa have learned how to turn it into a medicine for a variety of ailments.