Why Do Euphorbia Tirucalli Leaves Turn Brown?

What Are The Benefits Of Euphorbia Tirucalli?

The pencil cactus is a hydrocarbon plant, which means it naturally creates a material akin to petroleum. This plant’s sap has been utilized in the manufacturing of rubber and evaluated as a fuel source.

The pencil cactus has been used in traditional medical therapy in several nations to treat asthma, coughing, earache, and rheumatism symptoms. However, due to the toxicity of the pencil cactus sap, you should never consume it or expose your skin or eyes to it.

The pencil cactus is most commonly used as a decorative ornamental plant.

Where Is Euphorbia Tirucalli Found?

Euphorbia tirucalli, also known as Pencil Cactus, Sticks on Fire, Aveloz, Naked Lady, or Pencil Tree, is a succulent found in semi-arid tropical settings. The Pencil Cactus is endemic to Africa and India, where it grows primarily in black clay soil.

These plants are members of the flowering plant family Euphorbiaceae. Pencil Cacti are employed as alternative medicine in various cultures.

People in India, Malaysia, Brazil, and Indonesia have attempted to use these plants to treat a variety of ailments such as cancer, asthma, earache, and rheumatism.

Why Do Euphorbia Tirucalli Leaves Turn Brown?

Sunburn is the most prevalent cause of brown Euphorbia Tirucalli leaves. This plant performs well in full sun, although harsh weather conditions or changes in temperature, such as a heatwave, can produce sunburn or solar damage.

This has no internal impact on the plant as long as the problem is only transient. To avoid brown spots or sunburn, provide some shade or protection during high heat waves.

How Do You Repot Euphorbia Tirucalli?

It is best to grow the pencil cactus in an unglazed clay pot that allows excess moisture to evaporate through its walls. Also, make sure the pot has enough of drainage holes.

The plant can tolerate being crammed into its container. However, once the roots have filled the container, plan to relocate your plant to a larger pot. Before you begin repotting, make sure the soil is completely dry. Remove the plant from the pot gently and knock off any extra soil.

Remove any roots that appear shriveled, dead, or black and decaying. After that, place the pencil cactus in its new pot and surround it with fresh potting mix. Wait approximately one week before watering the plant.

How Do I Propagate Euphorbia Tirucalli?

Stem cuttings are an easy way to propagate a firestick plant. Put on gloves and goggles before snipping off a healthy stem to grow a pencil cactus.

Dip the end of the stem in water to stop the sap from seeping. Allow the firestick cutting to dry for a few days before planting in succulent soil.

Cuttings from pencil plants root quickly, and you’ll have a new succulent sprouting in no time.

Allowing the cut end to callus over is a good way to assure effective pencil plant proliferation. Allowing the cutting to dry for a few days keeps soil moisture from developing root rot in your new plant.

Cuttings of a pencil cactus can be easily propagated. Wear protective clothes at all times during this process.

To block the flow of sap, take a clipping of a green branch about 6 inches long and immerse it in fresh water. Allow about a week for the cutting to dry and grow a callous over the cut end before potting it in moist succulent or cactus potting mix.

Will Euphorbia Tirucalli Root In Water?

Although a pencil cactus is a robust plant that thrives in arid conditions, it will root properly in water.

A good reason to root your pencil cactus in water is to reproduce many new plants without having to acquire new plants. You can have as many plants as you want by propagating your own without investing a dime.

The success of rooting your cutting in water is dependent on the plant and its surroundings. Sometimes the timing is not good for the cutting to root in water, but rooting a pencil cactus plant in water is often successful.

How Do I Root Euphorbia Tirucalli In Water?

After harvesting the specimen from the parent plant, allow the cutting outside to dry in the sunlight for a few days. The sliced part of the specimen must be calloused before being placed in water to root. This may take up to a week.

Fill a clean glass jug or vase halfway with fresh water. The length of the incision indicates the depth of the water. The root, but not any of the leaves on the cutting, should be submerged in water.

Put the cutting in the water, with the cut end of the stem barely within.

Place the glass jug or vase containing the cutting in a sunny location to allow the plant to root. This may take up to a month.

Regularly check the water. You may need to refresh the water frequently to avoid fungus and bacteria from growing and infecting the plant.

After the roots have grown in the water, move the new plant to an indoor pot or a suitable place in your garden. If you’re planting it in a container, make sure the soil is moist and that you’re using the proper potting soil.

Why Is My Euphorbia Tirucalli Turning Red?

The pencil cactus turns orange and red throughout the cooler months of the year, earning it the moniker “Firestick.”

The pencil cactus is frequently planted alongside other succulents because its brilliant hues add a splash of color to any garden! This is not a disease and does not indicate that the plant is ill. It will return as the weather warms up.

Why Is My Euphorbia Tirucalli Turning Yellow?

There are several possibilities as to why this is happening to your plant.

Insufficient lighting: The pencil cactus turns yellow when the lights are too low or too far from the cactus.

The soil type is incorrect: The soil that you are using may not be suitable. It should be well-draining and acidic.

Overwatering or underwatering: If the soil is too wet, the cactus turns yellow. You should allow it to dry in between waterings.

If too much water is being given to your plant you will also notice some browning of the leaves and a drooping of the leaves. If your plant is not getting enough water, it might turn yellow at the tips of its branches and stems.

The temperature of the air is either too chilly or too hot: Temperatures that are too extreme can turn your cactus yellow.

The ideal temperature for your pencil cactus will be about 65° Fahrenheit. If the temperature of the air is too chilly, the soil will not warm up enough, and the cactus will turn yellow.

If it’s too hot in your home, you must bring it out of direct sunlight to be able to provide sufficient heat for your plant.

If you’re sure that none of these conditions are occurring and that your plant is otherwise healthy, you should consider this a cosmetic issue and not a disease or problem with the plant.

Which Pests And Diseases Attack Euphorbia Tirucalli?

Although most pests avoid hazardous plants, typical domestic pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids can attack your indoor pencil cactus plant.

Mealybugs or spider mites may attack the plant if it has been overwatered and has developed root rot. Look for fuzzy white patches on the twigs and webbing on the succulent.

The only way to get rid of pests is to use a pesticide or neem oil, or to cut back on affected branches.

Allow the soil to dry completely before watering again to cure root rot.

Why Is My Euphorbia Tirucalli Dying?

A pencil cactus plant will usually only die if it is constantly overwatered. Drooping growth, discolored foliage, and squishy stems are all signs of too much moisture. If caught in time, it should recover by shifting the plant to a different pot and allowing it to dry out.

The pencil cactus does not store water well. If your plant is dripping, it’s getting too much water and will die.

In general, the death of a pencil cactus should be treated as a cosmetic issue. If you have had an unusually severe winter, the cactus may have been harmed and has no choice but to die.

When you purchase your pencil cactus, ask what the soil drainage is like. If it’s sandy or poorly draining, the plant may not receive enough water during its lifecycle and will die.

Is Euphorbia Tirucalli Easy To Care For?

The pencil cactus requires very little care and may withstand a lot of neglect. It also does not frequently have pests or diseases. If you travel frequently and don’t have time to routinely care for a houseplant, this could be the plant for you.

Even if you don’t have time to care for it frequently, the pencil cactus is an excellent plant to maintain indoors. It can tolerate neglect and is a low-maintenance plant.

Your pencil cactus plant should grow, thrive, and live a long life if you provide it with good sunshine, sandy soil, and occasional watering.

Its brilliant colors and distinctive foliage make it an attractive addition to any garden or house.