Hi, I'm Judy Mirro, a UVM Master Gardener,
coming to you from the University of Vermont Greenhouses,
and I'm here to help you become a Houseplant Hero
by providing some guidance on caring for your houseplants.
Today our focus is on the euphorbia lactea,
or false cactus, or the candelabra cactus.
The cactus and euphorbia may look similar,
but they're very different plants.
They initially grew oceans apart.
Euphorbia originates from South Africa,
while the cactus are native to the Americas.
So while we see them sold under the name cactus
most everywhere we go,
it's because they thrive in very similar or same conditions,
hot, sunny, and dry.
The reason I adore the euphorbia is because they grow faster
and many varieties are easily propagated,
like the candelabra.
More on that in a moment.
So then how do you tell a euphoria from a cactus?
All cactus have spines,
while the euphorbia have thorns.
Only cactus have what's called areoles,
which are the fuzzy spots where the spines,
flowers, and stems of the cacti plants grow from.
The areole is found on all cactus species
and they're either fuzzy white or fuzzy yellow.
You'll never find this on any of these euphorbia.
Many people will tell you
that it's the flowers that give them away.
Cactus flowers are usually large, soft pedaled,
and come in lively colors.
Euphoria flowers are not much
to look at and they're usually quite small,
but that's not why you buy a euphoria.
You buy them for their texture,
structure, and bold statement.
If you should remove any of the thorns from a euphorbia,
you'll actually injure the plant.
There are other differences,
and, of course, there will be those varieties
that are thorn-free
and you'll have to look closer at leaves in the flowers
to tell the differences.
Just know that the euphorbia
will never, ever have one or two thorns together.
If you cut your candelabra,
you'll notice a milky, white sap oozing out.
This sap is sticky and toxic to us and our pets.
It can cause skin and eye irritation
if you allow it to come in contact.
This is just another trait of the euphorbia species.
Always best to wear gloves and safety glasses
if you should accidentally injure your plant.
The candelabra is a good self healer,
so hopefully any damage you might do won't be fatal.
Wipe off any sap with a cloth or paper towel
and allow the plant to heal itself.
Branches that you do break off
should be set aside for a week or two to harden off
before you place them in soil to regrow.
The candelabra makes a great houseplant
for novice gardeners,
because it doesn't require a lot of special care.
It grows well in indirect light.
The brighter the light, the faster it grows.
Full south exposure or a west exposure
works wonders for this plant.
Be sure not to place them against a window in the winter,
you wouldn't want this plant to catch a chill.
The plants will like to keep warm year round.
These plants prefer a fast-draining cactus oil mix
to ensure the soil dries out between waterings.
Remembering that the euphorbia's origins are from Africa
where the conditions are dry, hot, and warm,
overwatering, or as I like to say overloving,
your plant will be the death of it,
so best to use a moisture meter to be sure this plant
is dried out before you water again.
Like most plants, pests don't show up
unless the plant is stressed out.
Euphoria has few pests other than aphids and mealybugs.
Remember to check for pests every time you water.
You wouldn't wanna invite critters
taking up residency elsewhere.
One last thing, as these candelabra
or other types of columnar euphorbias age,
you'll likely find brown spots appearing.
If they are light brown and hard,
this is referred to as corking,
and it's what happens when your plant gets old.
I like to think of it as your plant's well-earned age spots.
It's totally normal and you don't have to worry about it.
Remember that by providing your plants
with the conditions and care they need,
you too can be a Houseplant Hero.
For more information on houseplants and home gardens,
visit the UVM Extension Master Gardener website
and see our Garden Resources page.
Or contact an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer
at the Helpline.
The phone number is on your screen.
This is Extension Master Gardener, Judy Mirro,
wishing you happy growing.