Cat Tails Euphorbia – Succulent plants

Cat Tails Euphorbia (Euphorbia alluaudii) is a spineless succulent shrub that grows up to 12 feet tall. It has narrow, pale green, cylindrical and jointed stems that rise erectly and then arch outwards to form a mass as wide as tall. The stems are tipped in summer with many, up to 0.5-inch long, green leaves and are dotted with brown marks where the leaves were previously attached. In spring and summer at branch tips also appear the very small, yellow-green flower structures (cyathia) that hold the even smaller flowers and the developing fruit is red and somewhat heart-shaped.

Scientific classification:

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily: Euphorbioideae
Tribe: Euphorbieae
Subtribe: Euphorbiinae
Genus: Euphorbia

Scientific Name: Euphorbia alluaudii
Synonyms: Euphorbia alluaudii subsp. alluaudii, Euphorbia leucodendron, Tirucalia alluaudii.
Common Names: Cat Tails Euphorbia, Sausage Tree, Stick Euphorbia, Yellow-leaf Bush Euphorbia, Milk Bush, Pencil Tree, Stick Cactus, Stick Plant.

How to grow and maintain Cat Tails Euphorbia:

Light:
It prefers full to partial sunlight. Provides good sunlight at least 3-5 hours of the day, and turn it regularly so that your plant doesn’t begin to grow lopsided.

Soil:
It grows well in well-draining, gritty soils or cactus potting mix. They are not particular about soil pH, but they cannot tolerate wet soil.

Water:
You can allow the soil to dry out between each watering. Before watering the plant check underneath the pot through the drainage holes to see if the roots are dry. If so then add some water. Do not water too often to prevent overwatering, that can potentially kill it off.

Temperature:
It prefers an optimal temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit – 85 degrees Fahrenheit / 16 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize every two weeks with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer during its growing season in the spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing your plant during the fall and winter months.

Propagation:
Euphorbia can be easily propagated by cuttings. Take cutting in spring, which needs to be dried out for a couple of weeks before potting. Also can be propagated from seed, but they can be difficult to germinate.

Pests and Diseases:
Euphorbia may be susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects, occasionally spider mites.