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Taxonomy
Euphorbia polygona var. horrida
Euphorbia
Euphorbiaceae
Malpighiales

How to care for African Milk Barrel

How often to water your African Milk Barrel

every 12
African Milk Barrel 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

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for African Milk Barrel in your home

a window
African Milk Barrel love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
African Milk Barrel does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of African Milk Barrel in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize African Milk Barrel

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 African Milk Barrel after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

African Milk Barrel is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
Water Needs
African Milk Barrel 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.
Sunlight Needs
African Milk Barrel 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 🏡.
Toxicity
African Milk Barrel 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
African Milk Barrel prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
Soil
African Milk Barrel 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!
Fertilizer
African Milk Barrel 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!
Dormancy
It’s common for African Milk Barrel 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
African Milk Barrel is native to Worldwide.
Growth Pattern
African Milk Barrel grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
African Milk Barrel can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Care Summary for African Milk Barrel
African Milk Barrel
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
