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succulent milk Shop 'Euphorbia horrida – African Milk Barrel' Care and Growing Guide

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Description

succulent milk Shop 'Euphorbia horrida – African Milk Barrel' Care and Growing GuideIntroducing the African milk barrel, known as the Euphorbia horrida, which is a striking succulent plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is commonly referred to by various names, including the African milk plant, the African milk cactus, the African milk tree cactus, and the toothpick cactus. These names reflect its unique appearance and the milky sap it produces. Native to South Africa, this columnar plant, Euphorbia horrida, offsets the

Introducing the African milk barrel, known as the Euphorbia horrida, which is a striking succulent plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is commonly referred to by various names, including the African milk plant, the African milk cactus, the African milk tree cactus, and the toothpick cactus. These names reflect its unique appearance and the milky sap it produces. 

Native to South Africa, this columnar plant, Euphorbia horrida, offsets the base to form clumps. The plant has cylindrical stems with gray-green to blue-gray hues, flattened ribs, and spine-like features.


The Euphorbia horrida can grow up to 5 feet tall and 6 inches wide. The structures that resemble spines are the dried remains of the stalks of cyathia (inflorescence of the plant).

Its stem may be striped with white and green markings. This species is similar to the unrelated barrel cacti in its growth habits.

Over time, the ribs frequently grow wavy. This Euphorbia succulent has sharp ridges lined with thorns.

The Euphorbia horrida flowers bloom during the spring and summer months. They are typically greenish-yellow in color and are arranged in clusters at the top of the stem.

While the flowers themselves may not be the main attraction, they add a touch of beauty to the overall appearance of the plant. You can propagate the African milk barrel by taking stem cuttings. Simply cut a healthy stem from the plant and allow it to dry for a few days.

After that, plant the cutting in soil that drains properly and keep it damp but not soggy until roots form. Another method is by collecting and planting the seeds produced by mature plants. However, keep in mind that germination can be slow and may require patience. 

When and How to Water Your African Milk Barrel 

When it comes to watering, the African milk barrels have low water needs, so it's best to water them sparingly. During the active growing season (spring and summer), water deeply every 2–3 weeks; in fall and winter dormancy, reduce watering to once a month or less. The top inch of the soil should be completely dry before you water again. 

In the spring and summer, water deeply every two to three weeks during the growing season. In the fall and winter, during the dormant season, reduce watering to once a month or even less, as the plant goes into a rest period. 

Grow your succulents in containers with great drainage holes and suitable soil, and water them deeply between periods of drying out. 

Light Requirements - Where to Place Your Euphorbia horrida 

When growing indoors, the African milk barrel needs bright, direct sunlight to thrive for at least 6-8 hours per day.

Place them near a south-facing window or any spot that receives ample bright sunlight throughout the day. You can use artificial grow lights as a supplement if you don't have access to enough natural light. 

If you're growing African milk barrels outdoors, they need full sun exposure to flourish for at least 6-8 hours a day. Find a spot in your garden or patio that receives direct sunlight for most of the day.

These Euphorbia plants love the intense sunlight and warmth, which helps them maintain their unique shape and color. Just be cautious of extreme heat, especially in hotter climates. If the temperature rises too high, provide some afternoon shade to protect the plant from scorching. 

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

The Euphorbia horrida favors very airy, sandy soil that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and most likely root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally use our specialized succulent potting mix, opens in a new tab that contains 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your succulent to thrive. 

The African milk barrels are not heavy feeders, but they can benefit from a balanced (5-10-5), water-soluble NPK fertilizer once a year in the spring. It's important to note that during the dormant season (fall and winter), African milk barrels do not require fertilizer.

Remember to always follow the instructions on the fertilizer package and avoid over-fertilizing, as it can harm the plant. 

Indoor Growing African Milk Barrel Requirements

When growing indoors, your African milk barrels prefer warm temperatures ranging between 65°F and 85°F during the day. They can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures at night, but it's best to avoid temperatures below 50°F, as it can cause damage to the plant. As for humidity, these plants are accustomed to low humidity levels, so typical indoor humidity is usually sufficient. 

Hardiness Zone & More 

For outdoor cultivation, the African milk barrels are most commonly grown in USDA zones 9 to 11.

These zones generally have mild winters and warm to hot summers, which closely resemble the plant's natural habitat. 

However, if you live in a cooler climate, you can still enjoy growing African milk barrels outdoors during the summer months and bring them indoors during winter to protect them from frost. 

Wildlife  Euphorbia horrida Flowers Attract the Following Friendly Pollinators

Euphorbia horrida flowers are known to attract a variety of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These friendly pollinators help to ensure the continued growth and reproduction of the plant species in their natural habitat.

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

According to the ASPCA, Euphorbia horrida has a milky latex sap that is mildly toxic to humans and pets. If consumed in large amounts, the milky sap can irritate the skin or trigger allergic reactions. If it gets into the eyes, it can cause extreme irritation.

How to Propagate Your Euphorbia horrida

Euphorbia horrida can be propagated through stem cuttings. To do this, cut a healthy stem from the plant and allow it to callous for a few days before planting it in well-draining soil. Keep the cutting in a warm, bright location and water sparingly until roots develop.

Key Takeaways

  1. The African Milk Barrel boasts a striking, cactus-like appearance with deep ribs and bold spines, making it a standout choice for collectors seeking sculptural and dramatic form in drought-tolerant gardens or containers.
  2. Euphorbia horrida naturally produces clusters of offsets (pups) around its base, allowing it to grow into an impressive colony over time and making propagation simple and rewarding.
  3. This succulent stores water efficiently within its thick, ridged stems, giving it excellent drought tolerance and minimal watering needs—ideal for low-maintenance landscapes.
  4. The spines on the African Milk Barrel not only enhance its armored look but also serve a practical purpose, protecting it from herbivores and shading the plant’s surface to reduce moisture loss.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the African milk barrel (Euphorbia horrida) is a fascinating succulent that boasts thick, cylindrical stems covered in sharp thorns. It's a low-maintenance plant that thrives in arid conditions, making it perfect for those who may forget to water their plants regularly.

Just ensure it receives plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil, and you'll have a unique and eye-catching addition to your succulent collection. Be sure to add Euphorbia horrida to your home or garden and enjoy its low-maintenance care, while admiring its impressive display year after year. 

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Ok, so let me start with the fact that you should NOT waste your time calling Amazon's customer service if you think you have a claim under Asurion's monthly protection plan. CALL ASURION! I wasted almost an hour with Amazon representatives that have absolutely no training in how the Asurion plan works, or even any idea if my item was covered. In fact, they told me the mechanized chair I purchased under the plan wasn't covered! Finally, my call got escalated to a manager who was just as clueless about my coverage, but had the best idea ever... call Asurion! The smartest thing I did that morning was hang up with Amazon, and reach out to Asurion as I should have done in the first place. Dealing with Asurion's customer service, after my Amazon call, was like being elevated to VIP status! 😄 Asurion's rep nicely took all my info, including the chair's purchase date and order number. Then they asked that I upload a couple of pictures of the product, along with a written description of the malfunction I had mentioned over the phone. This is where it gets really good. They told me they'd review the claim to determine if they'd send a repair specialist or reimburse me the cost of the item. In less than 48 hours, they determined that a payout was in order, and sent me an email that included an Amazon gift card for the total cost of the item minus the taxes I had paid, which I loaded directly into my Amazon wallet. Apparently, Asurion does not include the purchase taxes in their coverage. But, I can live with that. All in all, Asurion's claims division get a double thumbs up 👍🏽👍🏽, and the company gets big ups from me for not only standing behind their protection plan, but doing so expeditiously! Special note: If you buy a lot of stuff from Amazon, and have Asurion's monthly protection plan, scroll the item listing before pulling the trigger on your purchase... you need to see the green streamer that indicates your product is protected by the plan. If you don't see that, check to see if there are alternative products that might be covered. There are very few electronic or high ticket items that aren't covered, but looking for that green banner in the item description that says it's covered is key to foregoing any future headaches.
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This protection plan that i pay monthly for paid for itself ten fold. My 3D printer just quit working and after the manufacturer warrenty had ran out at that. I submitted my claim they emailed me a shipping label in which I shipped out my printer that same day. Two days later they received my printer determined it couldc not be fixed and sent me a Amazon gift card for the full price of my printer. Today I will be receiving my new 3d printer thanks to Complete Protect. I highly recommend anyone and everyone to purchase this policy. This warrenty is like having a home warrenty like Homeshield but for your electronics and probably other stuff that i just have not read to see what else. This insurance will save me so much money over the corse of this year and every year after that. Thank you Complete Protect.
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Great experience with Asurion insurance through Amazon. I wasn't sure how to register my items for the monthly plan, but the customer support team in the chat was incredibly efficient and guided me through the entire paperwork process smoothly. Furthermore, the service I received at the repair shop (Break Fix) was excellent. The whole process was seamless, and I received my digital gift card without any issues, which I’ve already applied to my Amazon account. I am very grateful for their professionalism and how easy they made everything. Highly recommended!"
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Received giftcard money to replace my plan-protected malfunctioning motherboard
I've been subscribing to the Asurion protection plan for a while. Recently, an Asus Prime PC motherboard I had bought a few months ago on Amazon stopped working well. I ended up considering filing a claim with Asurion to see if they would either fix/replace it or issue the purchase price money, so I could buy the failed electronics replacement component again for my custom-built PC. I went to the protection plan's website and started the claim filing process but couldn't find the category my failed component would be under in order to select it from the drop-down list. I ended up messaging the live customer service. The chat messaging was somewhat slow, the agent told me they were experiencing some communication delays throughout their systems. Ultimately, the agent was very kind and understanding, and completed the claim filing process for me on her side by asking me to provide the necessary info such as the item's product name, date of purchase, price before taxes, etc. I received a printable UPS shipping label in the email, printed it, and returned the item in the mail. Approximately 2 days later, I received an Amazon giftcard code in the email with the dollar amount equal to the item's price before the sales tax. Then I redeemed the giftcard code on the Amazon page and proceeded to apply the giftcard money to my next purchase of a replacement Asus prime motherboard, and it all worked out successfully. Therefore, I had no issues with the protection plan service and recommend it to others.
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