Euphorbia ingens
| Light | Bright light to full sun once established |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly; allow the soil to dry fully between waterings, keep dry in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above about 10 °C; frost-tender, USDA zones 10–11 |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (see Propagation — cuttings); seed |
| Toxicity | Toxic — the milky latex is a severe skin and eye irritant; harmful if ingested |
Euphorbia ingens is a large, tree-like succulent from southern Africa, often reaching the size of a substantial tree and forming a dense, rounded crown of upright, four-angled green branches. Its candelabra-like silhouette has earned it the common name candelabra tree, and mature specimens are a familiar feature of the African bushveld.
Description
Euphorbia ingens develops a stout, woody main trunk topped by a heavily branched, rounded to columnar crown that can look almost like a dark green cloud from a distance. The branches are succulent and typically four-angled (sometimes three- to five-angled), constricted at intervals into segments, with wavy or toothed margins bearing small paired spines on the ridges. Unlike true cacti, the plant does not have areoles; the spines and the leaves are borne directly on the angled ribs, and the tiny leaves are shed early.
Like other members of the genus, every part of the plant is filled with a copious white latex that flows freely when the tissue is cut or broken. Small yellow-green cyathia (the specialised euphorbia "flowers") appear along the branch ridges, followed by rounded three-lobed fruit that ripen to reddish tones.
Distribution and habitat
The candelabra tree is widespread across southern Africa, from South Africa northward through Zimbabwe, Mozambique and neighbouring countries. It grows in warm, frost-free bushveld, on rocky hillsides and among open woodland, tolerating long dry seasons and poor, stony soils. In habitat it is a genuine tree, and old specimens provide roosting and nesting sites for birds despite the caustic sap.
Cultivation
Euphorbia ingens is undemanding where it has warmth, sun and sharp drainage. Grow it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix, water thoroughly once the soil has dried out, and cut watering right back through the cool months — like most succulent euphorbias it will rot quickly if kept wet and cold. Give it bright light to full sun; in cultivation it is usually grown as a large container or landscape plant in frost-free climates, or a big architectural specimen under glass elsewhere.
Handle it with real care. The white latex is a severe irritant to skin and especially the eyes, and toxic if swallowed, so wear gloves and eye protection when pruning or repotting and keep the sap away from children and pets. See Repotting and Watering for general technique.
Propagation
The species is easily grown from stem cuttings. Sever a branch, rinse or blot the bleeding latex and let the cut callus for a week or more in a dry, shaded spot before setting it in a gritty, barely moist mix to root. Wear gloves throughout. Seed is also viable where fruit is available. See Propagation — cuttings and Propagation — seed for full walkthroughs.
Common problems
- Rot — the commonest cause of loss, almost always from overwatering, a heavy mix, or cold wet conditions; branches soften, blacken and collapse.
- Cold damage — the plant is frost-tender and marks or dies back after even light freezes.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the branch grooves) and scale are the usual offenders; watch for spider mites in hot, dry, still air.
See also
- Euphorbia — the genus overview
- Propagation — cuttings · Propagation — seed · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases