Euphorbia tirucalli – Milk Brush (Large)

This Euphorbia tirucalli, often called Pencil Cactus or Milk Brush, is a baby grown from the OG Pencil Cactus. Watching it develop has been fascinating—the branches rise like electric flames frozen in motion, each new shoot stretching upward with sharp energy. It’s easy to imagine planting many together someday as a living, sculptural fence. Though small now, this species can eventually grow into a massive shrub or tree, reaching up to 20 feet or more in the right conditions.

For a personal touch, the pot is decorated with seashells collected at Phipps Ocean Park in Palm Beach, Florida—bringing a bit of the shoreline into the garden.

The pot holding this plant was once cracked but carefully repaired in a way that reminds me of Kintsugi (金継ぎ)—the Japanese art of embracing imperfections. The mended lines give it more story and character, pairing beautifully with the plant’s enduring growth.

🪴 Note About This Plant

• Also called Pencil Cactus, Firestick Plant, or Milk Brush.
• Baby offspring from my original Euphorbia tirucalli Milk Brush.
• Thrives in bright sun with minimal water—see more in our Euphorbia collection.