Dylan

Euphorbia trigona

African Milk Tree, Marble Column, Cathedral cactus, Abyssinian Euphorbia

• 
  Almost unkillable
• 
  Bright light

• Dylan likes...
  • 
    Light watering

    He grows in deserts and has evolved to survive drought, so only water him when his soil is completely dry. Let the water drain away before putting him back in his decorative pot.

  • 
    Bright light

    Give him a spot in full sun or light shade, this succulent is used to exposure and loves the light.

  • 
    Feeding

    To keep Dylan healthy and help him grow, give him a half strength succulent feed once a month over spring and summer.

• Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Euphorbia trigona

  Nickname

  African Milk Tree, Marble Column, Cathedral cactus, Abyssinian Euphorbia

  Plant type

  Indoor

  Plant height (including pot)

  60-70cm

  Pet/baby safe

  Sap contains latex and irritates skin. Poisonous if eaten. Thorny.

  Nursery pot size

  17cm

• About Euphorbia trigona

  Native to Central Africa, Euphorbia trigona can grow up to 1.8m tall and is classified as a shrub because of its upright branching structure. In fact, it’s grown as a protective hedge around villages in countries like Gabon. It’s known as the African Milk Tree because of the sticky latex sap it produces if wounded.

  While it looks like a cactus, Euphorbia trigona is actually a succulent plant that has adapted to the hot dry weather by storing water in its stem and branches. Because of this, its watery stems can burn if exposed to too much direct sunlight, especially if it’s magnified by glass. Make sure your euphorbia isn’t pressing up against a window. The bonus of this adaptation means light watering, making Euphorbia trigona a great low maintenance houseplant for busy people.

  With its impressive candelabra shape, attractive variegated green stem, reddish spines, and the frilly small green leaves it grows as it matures, this is a houseplant that offers both visual interest and structural impact. Win. Win.

  Did you know?

  Dylan’s spikey bits are officially spines (adapted leaves) and not thorns (adapted stems) - an easy mistake to make. Either way, they hurt, so wear thick gloves when repotting!