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Pencil Milkbush

Also known as

yellow milkbush and Pencil Milkbush

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Euphorbia mauritanica

Genus

Euphorbia

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Order

Malpighiales

How to care for Pencil Milkbush

💦 Water

How often to water your Pencil Milkbush

Pencil Milkbush needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Pencil Milkbush in your home

Pencil Milkbush love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Pencil Milkbush does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Pencil Milkbush in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Pencil Milkbush

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Pencil Milkbush: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Pencil Milkbush after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Euphorbia

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Pencil Milkbush is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Pencil Milkbush →

Common Pencil Milkbush Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Pencil Milkbush thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Pencil Milkbush Water Frequency →

Pencil Milkbush Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Pencil Milkbush requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Pencil Milkbush Light Requirements →

Pencil Milkbush Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Pencil Milkbush is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

💨 Humidity

Pencil Milkbush enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.

Pencil Milkbush Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Pencil Milkbush is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Pencil Milkbush →

When and How to Successfully Repot Pencil Milkbush →

💩 Fertilizer

Pencil Milkbush grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Pencil Milkbush →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Pencil Milkbush to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Pencil Milkbush is native to Worldwide.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Pencil Milkbush bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Pencil Milkbush Flowers →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Pencil Milkbush is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

How and When to Prune Pencil Milkbush →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Pencil Milkbush can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Pencil Milkbush Temperature Tolerance →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Pencil Milkbush can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Pencil Milkbush →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Pencil Milkbush. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!