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pencil cactus turning red Buy 'Pencil Cactus - Euphorbia tirucalli Firesticks' Care and Growing GuideIntroducing the Pencil Cactus, botanically known as Euphorbia tirucalli Fire Sticks (also called Sticks on Fire), a striking succulent prized for its sea coral like appearance and vibrant, loosely branching pencil thin stems that develop brilliant shades of green, orange, and red. Native to Southern Africa, this unique succulent belongs to the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family, not the cactus family (Cactaceae), though it is commonly referred to as Pencil

Introducing the Pencil Cactus, botanically known as Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Fire Sticks’ (also called Sticks on Fire), a striking succulent prized for its sea coral-like appearance and vibrant, loosely branching pencil-thin stems that develop brilliant shades of green, orange, and red.

Native to Southern Africa, this unique succulent belongs to the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family, not the cactus family (Cactaceae), though it is commonly referred to as “Pencil Cactus” because of its cactus-like form and upright growth habit. It is also known by several other common names, including fire sticks plant, sticks on fire succulent, fire plant, red pencil tree, milk bush, and Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Rosea’.


When exposed to direct sunlight, the tips turn red, which is why they are also called firesticks.

This fast growing evergreen succulent can grow up to 30 feet tall and 10 feet wide, forming a thicket of brilliantly colored vertical stems with loose branches.

The unusual stems of this firestick plant, which are as thin as pencils, have a reddish-golden hue that becomes yellow in the summer and red again in the winter.

The pencil cactus flowers boast vibrant yellow, pink, or orange blooms in the summer and spring, making them a true showstopper in any garden.

The pencil cactus is extremely drought tolerant and hard to kill, and as a result, is a great, low-maintenance, easy-care plant for your home or garden.

You can grow your pencil cactus indoors year-round as a houseplant. If planting outdoors, it's best to do so in the spring when temperatures are warm and stable. This cactus grows faster than many other cacti, making it a striking addition to your garden or home.

If you cut your pencil cactus, be careful—the thick, white sap is toxic and can cause skin irritation, burns, or severe eye irritation if it gets into your eyes. While highly irritating, some cultures have historically used it in traditional medicine for treating growths like warts and tumors, though it is not safe for home remedies. Always wear gloves when handling the plant and wash your hands thoroughly if you come into contact with the sap.

When and How to Water Your Pencil Cactus 

This pencil cactus firestick plant can withstand droughts and doesn't need to be watered frequently to survive. Watering these perennial succulents should be done every 3–4 weeks or when the soil feels dry. Let the soil completely dry out between waterings, and if in doubt, give your fire plant a little more time before watering again.  Less water is needed for humid locations and indoor spaces. Pay attention to how the pencil cactus looks and adjust the watering accordingly.

Remember that succulents in the desert can go for weeks or even months without water, so water them sparingly during their rest phase and moderately during their active growing season.

Pro Tip

Most people like to see the red tips that give this Euphorbia tirucalli its firestick name. Note that it is stress that causes the tips to go red. So, the art is to stress the firestick plant a bit, but not too much. So, give it a lot of light and water it less than other succulents, so it is thirsty but not dying of thirst.

Overwatering can also cause the Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks' tips to turn red, but it can also lead to root rot and other problems. So, if your pencil cactus is not turning red in full sun, it's possible that it's not experiencing enough stress to produce the anthocyanin pigments or that it's receiving too much water.

Light Requirements - Where to Place Your Pencil Cactus 

Like most succulents, indoors, the Euphorbia tirucalli firesticks need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive, so choose the brightest area in the house.

Potted indoor pencil cacti require four hours of direct sunlight, which can be achieved by locating them on a sunny south or west-facing windowsill. 

If you are growing these firestick succulents outdoors, make sure that they receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.

Partial shade may be tolerated as long as your pencil cactus gets the majority of the sunlight that it needs when it's planted outside. This succulent plant won't thrive if left in the shade for a long time. Its colors become more vibrant the more sunlight it receives.

In order to avoid sunburn, it is preferable to acclimatize your pencil cactus first before moving it outdoors or increasing the amount of sunlight it receives.

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

The firestick Euphorbia is a succulent plant that likes very airy, porous, nutrient-rich soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Succulents require fast-draining soil that dries completely between waterings. Ideally, you want to use our specialized potting mixGo to soil cactus mix blend 1 gal 4 qt cacti succulent dirt compost growing media that contains 5 natural substrates and organic mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your Euphorbia firesticks Pencil Cactus to thrive. 

When it comes to fertilizing your pencil cactus plant, it only needs a small amount of fertilizer applied once a year in spring. Cacti prefer a fertilizer with lower doses of NPK, with a maximum ratio of 5-10-5 that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen.

Hardiness Zones & More 

When growing indoors as a houseplant, the Euphorbia firestick can tolerate temperatures between 65 °F and 75 °F. Your Euphorbia firestick plant performs well in temperatures above 30 °F. However, it can withstand temperatures below that, but only for short periods of time.

In the United States, the Euphorbia tirucalli is mostly an indoor plant, but if you live in southern Florida or Hawaii then you can cultivate it outdoors in USDA zones 10 -11.

Growing these pencil cacti in containers is the best option if you live in an area with harsh winters.

By doing this, you can bring your Pencil Cactus indoors during the winter or any time there's a chance of frost or snow. Normal house humidity is fine for this Euphorbia, but it prefers dry conditions. 

Wildlife - Euphorbia tirucalli Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators

The Euphorbia tirucalli flowers attract a variety of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, with their bright colors and sweet nectar. These pollinators play a crucial role in the ecosystem by helping to fertilize plants and promote biodiversity.

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

According to ASPCA, the Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks' is mildly toxic to humans and pets. It can irritate the skin, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract. However, it is safe to touch as long as precautions are taken to avoid contact with the sap. Wear gloves when handling this plant to prevent any potential skin irritation.

How to Propagate Your Pencil Cactus

When it comes to pencil cactus propagation, one common method is through stem cuttings. Simply take a cutting from a healthy pencil cactus, let it dry for a few days, and then place it in well-draining soil. Another method is through division, where you carefully separate the offsets or side shoots from the main plant and plant them individually.

Key Takeaways

  1. The stems of firesticks are as thin as pencils (hence the name) and turn a fire-red in the winter.
  2. Euphorbia Firesticks is a stunning variety that changes color with the seasons, turning bright red or orange tips in cooler temperatures or full sun.
  3. This succulent has a rapid growth rate, reaching up to 30 feet tall when grown outdoors, with a branching, upright form.
  4. During the spring and summer, the yellow flowers bloom in clusters on the end of the branch, usually for just a few days.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the pencil cactus (Euphorbia Firesticks) is a unique and striking succulent plant that adds a touch of elegance to any space. With its slender, pencil-like stems and vibrant green color, this sticks-on-fire cactus can truly be a showstopper. However, it's important to remember that the pencil cactus is not a true cactus but rather a succulent. It requires minimal care, preferring bright light and well-draining soil. By providing proper pencil cactus care, you'll have a beautiful and unique Euphorbia firestick plant that will thrive for years to come. 

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Haroon rashid kharodiya
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 4
Durable and reliable for calls, but not for audiophiles
Style: Standard, Color: White
This product is impressively durable and has held up well through daily use. It offers great value for the price, though the sound quality is best suited for specific tasks. If you primarily need a headset for voice calls, it performs reliably and is a solid professional tool. However, if you are looking for high-fidelity audio or noise isolation for long music sessions, the sound profile may feel a bit lacking. Pros: Robust build, excellent value, clear for calls. Cons: Basic audio range for music, no advanced noise control.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2026
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Julius Forte
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Amazing buds/price/service... buy these!
Style: Standard, Color: Purple
Yes, my subject line sounds like that trash hyperbole you get on annoying pop-up ads on your Smartphone! And ironically, it usually has to do with ear buds. There are tons of them on the market, and everyone claims to be the best. Now, first off, I am just a customer… never got any gifts or money or anything from this company, nor was asked to “click on a review” for a discount or whatever. No… the reason for all this hallelujah chorus, is that I’m really totally both jazzed, and a bit in awe of these earbuds. I think the main mind-blowing thing about them is the price. I mean, I have a bit of experience and knowledge with this kind of technology, and frankly, these days, what “guts” that are needed to be used to create Bluetooth ear buds is not that complex… nor expensive. How company’s like Sony, Apple, Bose, etc. can charge upwards of $300 for these boarders on theft and fraud! I’ve tried those “Rolls Royce” buds, and I urge you to do the same, and then try these Tagry Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds that are literally 90% less expensive. Yes, they retail for about $35! They come in an excellent quality charge base, are extremely easy to put on, (and have three extra size buds to give you a custom fit), and most important, their sound quality, and I mean crisp highs, solid middles, and bone- rumbling base, are outstanding. I cannot understand what more you would want either using them for talk radio, podcasts, YouTube, streaming movies, or TV, or playing your Amazon Music or Spotify or iTunes playlists. And yes, if connected to your iPhone, you can make and receive calls, and the microphone in the buds are top quality. Their Bluetooth software is flawless, connecting to your iPhone, or other Bluetooth devices effortlessly. They come with a pleasant woman’s voice letting you know various messages, like which earbud is in what ear, if they are connected or turned off, your volume control (including excess volume warning), etc. I’ve had these for several months, and have found the charging, which has a bright LED display and shows the individual charging of each bud, along with their percentage easy to read. And a note on their service. I’ve heard horror stories of folks trying to reach the outrageously over-priced other earbud company’s for tech support, or refunds, exchanges, etc. Basically it’s nonexistent, and when you do miraculously find a phone number to call them, and get someone on the line, you have to go to the UN to find an interpreter of rare third-world languages to understand what they are saying, and they seem to be trained, not on anything to do with the product, but to make the call as useless and confusing as possible, so that you will just give up and throw their buds, and your money in the trash. Now, I did have an initial problem, after a few months, in that the base charger seemed to be slowing a bit. Tagry gives you a LIFETIME WARRANTY… yes, an actually lifetime warranty, not one of those sham “lifetime warranties”, that corrupt company’s like Hammacher Schlemmer have. I had enrolled with Tagry, on their website, to activate my warranty as soon as I received the buds. I called Tagry when I was seeing what could be a glitch in their charging base, and yes, unlike most other companies who hide their contact numbers as if they were nuclear codes, Tagry’s support phone number is plainly printed on their manual, and to my astonishment, I immediately was connected to a good ‘ol American customer service person, who actually worked for the company, spoke English, and made me feel as if I was a long-ago trusted friend. They truly cared, and said they were sorry, and that there was no need to troubleshoot the base, or return it, instead, they would process an order to send me a new one. A day later, they actually called me back to let me know that the replacement had been shipped, and that I should have it in a day or so, and if not, to please call them back right away. And yes, to apologize again for any inconvenience. The replacement arrived the very next day. And again, their warranty is indeed for a lifetime, a no questions asked replacement policy. This is how much they believe in their product, and respect their customers. So, yes. It is insane to pay more than $35 for quality Bluetooth earbuds. Last year, I sent about a dozen of these out to friends and employees, to use for personal use, and for all that Zooming going on… and they love them. And none of had any problems. I’m sure you have had a plethora of bad experiences in the past few years, what with isolation, and way too much ordering on-line, finding the products you buy to be substandard, and customer service virtually non-existent. And that is why I’ve spend all this time expounding on the greatest of my earbuds. Yes, I have a life. Really. But what a joy to be able to tell a story like this, rather than the kind of frustration most of us are experiencing every day! Yes, goodness and quality still exist. It’s rare… but it’s out there!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2023
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thirst4music
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great value for both phone calls and music
Style: Standard, Color: Black, Style: Standard, Color: Black
Sometimes I'm amazed by the advancements in wireless and micro technology, especially when it comes to audio. These popped up in an email from Amazon a few days ago. Though I usually ignore those Deal notices this one intrigued me. I have a JBL Everest over-ear headset that I love for indoor phone calls and they're pretty good for music too (though I don't use them that way). I often like to go outside when I'm on the phone and the JBLs aren't convenient to use with a stocking cap, so I'd thought briefly about getting something in-ear to wear under my hat. These were $35 and the reviews were good. I liked that the case wirelessly charges the ear buds, and the case can be charged wirelessly too. My Samsung phone has wireless charging so I already have two wireless chargers and they're very convenient (especially given that the USB port on my phone was getting sketchy). So I figured I'd give them a try. I played a variety of my favorite music. I first asked for Jeff Buckley live music and the first song that started playing as I stepped outside was "Hallelujah." I walked around the property listening to my favorite music and before I knew it I had been listening to music for about three hours. I had really only cared about the sound quality for phone calls and whether they would stay in my ears (which is usually a problem for me). They never came close to falling out and they are comfortable. For phone calls the sound quality is very good on both ends. And though they're rated as having a 33' range I walked all around the house and got considerably farther than that from my phone with two walls separating the devices and I had no dropouts. Overall I am so happy with them that after a week of using them I ordered a backup pair. I have three VERY minor niggles but even combined I wouldn't consider them significant enough to knock off even ½ star. First, I had trouble gripping them well enough to get them out of the case quickly when I got an unexpected phone call. I started leaving them on a paper towel on the table next to me, but it now seems I've discovered the right way to grip them. Second, though they have a voice announcement of which side is which when first removed from the case, I was concerned that I might confuse L and R as they don't appear to have any visible indicators. My solution was to use my fine-point permanent marker to write an L on the left one. Third, one of my wireless phone chargers is a tilted stand that holds my phone at a convenient angle. I was unable to get the Ear buds case to wirelessly charge on that one until last night when I accidentally discovered that the problem was that the case was too small to hit the sweet spot on the charger. I solved the problem by boosting the case up with a pad of mini sticky notes (as shown in the photo). EDIT (I apologize if I forget to come back to delete my previous review): None of the above has changed but I forgot to mention that these are NOT good for noise isolation (at least not the way they fit me) but I prefer it that way. I'm a musician and music sounds less natural to me when the surrounding environment is completely eliminated, and I like being able to have a conversation or hear a knock at the door without removing them. Even without a tight seal I never have to reseat them and the sound quality stays consistent (a first for me after trying several other brands). UPDATE: I've been using these ear buds for five weeks now. I use them for hours every day and they continue to impress me. On three occasions only the right channel had a signal when I initially put them in to listen to music, but each time I put them back in the case and took them out again (which turned them off and on) and they worked normally. I've only had this happen with music and only when I first take them out of the case (i.e. it hasn't happened while on a call or after I've been listening to music with both working).
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Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2023
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Monroe
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Great quality
Style: Standard, Color: Forest Green
Very surprised at the quality of these headphones. They’re comfortable in the ear and have very clear sound quality and great volume. They’re easy to set up and the ear bud is just the right size to sit comfortably. Settings are easy to adjust and the battery life is great. I will say the color doesn’t match to the display image, they’re a lot darker green, but that’s not really an issue. I just wanted to get a colorful pair to make them distinct from others. These are a great budget ear bud!!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026
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Matthew
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 3
Good Wireless Earphones Option for Price
Style: Standard, Color: Black
Works well compared to similar products. For around two years I was using a similar, different brand of wireless earphones also purchased off of Amazon, and they worked okay. I had originally switched over to wireless because my old headphone jack finally stopped working, unfortunately; now, of course, my new phone doesn't even have a headphone jack in the first place. I started buying these when I was no longer able to purchase from the previous brand off of Amazon. They were both around the same price and looked relatively similar. After a few months of using these, I can say that these are better than my previous brand, which I will refer as P.B. for short moving forward. As an avid music listener, these get the job done. For starters, they pair to my phone much faster (3 seconds max) as opposed to P.B. (7-12 seconds), they're also much better at keeping debris, junk, and other foreign materials out of the inner parts; I'd have to buy new earphones from P.B. every 3-5 months for this very reason. Perhaps my biggest compliment is the fact that the interactive "buttons" on the top sides of these earphones are far less sensitive than P.B. I'm personally not a huge fan of these buttons in the first place, but I can confidently say that I've accidentally pressed those sensors on these earphones relatively far less (maybe 2 or 3 times a week) then P.B. (at least 10 times a week). The case is also pretty durable; if I were to have dropped P.B.'s case with the earphones inside, there would have been a 100% chance that they would have gone flying; these, however, from the few times I've dropped the case, have stayed inside the case, undamaged. Battery life for both is about the same (about 4-5 hours but haven't really noticed a whole lot), as is/was audio quality. Overall a good product for the price; my only complaint is with the occasional, accidental, button press, pausing my music, which can't be disabled as far as a know. Frustrating, as this was a problem that I had with P.B. as well, but not a deal breaker. For casual music listing, this shouldn't be a problem. Originally had to return my first pair for issues with the hinge on the case breaking, but was sent a new product at no cost and haven't had any problems with the new one. 10/10 for price, 8/10 for audio quality, and 7.5/10 for battery life. Update: after a few more months of further usage the earphones still function well and as intended. My only new complaint is regarding the charging case used for the earphones. Normally, you place the earphones in their respective charging slots, close the case, and done, that's it. That's all that needs to be done in order to unpair and charge your earphones. Unfortunately, as of recently, the case itself doesn't seem to be closing all the way anymore. I didn't even notice at first, since the case appears to still close as it used to, but the case now requires extra emphasis when closing to ensure proper charging. The battery power display on the front of the case will let you know if the case has closed all the way by displaying the "charging" animation for either/both of the earphones. I must admit, this is by far the only truly frustrating experience I've had with this product; if the case isn't properly closed, the earphones not only won't charge, but they'll continue to broadcast audio from your phone. A few times now I've attempted to play audio through my phone speaker, only to realize that one or both of my earphones aren't properly charging in their case. This is my replacement pair, which I received because of the hinge falling apart on my original pair; I've had this current set of earphones for around two months now, and just started having this problem with the case about a week ago. Very disappointed to have a problem this prominent only two months out. Right now the issue is 50/50, but if I put in the extra thought to ensure that the case is closed, that does seem to help quite a bit. Still leaving this as a positive review because at the end of the day the earphones still work just as well as when I received them, although it is disappointing that the case is now uncooperative half the time after two months of gentle/normal use. Perhaps a third-party "skin" for the case would help with this issue; if it persists I will consider that option. Wish I could rate 3.5/5 stars.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2026

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