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Milk Barrel Cactus

About Milk Barrel Cactus

Milk Barrel Cactus is a relatively rare houseplant 🌿 that is isn’t challenging to grow and needs very little water to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Milk Barrel Cactus likes soil that is extremely well-draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Milk Barrel Cactus belongs to the Euphorbia genus, and is native to South Africa.

⚠️ Milk Barrel Cactus 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.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Euphorbia cereiformis

Genus

Euphorbia

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Order

Malpighiales

How to care for Milk Barrel Cactus

💦 Water

How often to water your Milk Barrel Cactus

Milk Barrel Cactus 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 Milk Barrel Cactus in your home

Milk Barrel Cactus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Milk Barrel Cactus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Milk Barrel Cactus in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Milk Barrel Cactus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Milk Barrel Cactus: 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 Milk Barrel Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Euphorbia

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Milk Barrel Cactus 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 Milk Barrel Cactus →

Common Milk Barrel Cactus Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Milk Barrel Cactus 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.

Milk Barrel Cactus Water Frequency →

Milk Barrel Cactus Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Milk Barrel Cactus 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 🏡.

Milk Barrel Cactus Light Requirements →

Milk Barrel Cactus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Milk Barrel Cactus 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

Milk Barrel Cactus 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.

Milk Barrel Cactus Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Milk Barrel Cactus 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 Milk Barrel Cactus →

When and How to Successfully Repot Milk Barrel Cactus →

💩 Fertilizer

Milk Barrel Cactus 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 Milk Barrel Cactus →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Milk Barrel Cactus 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

Milk Barrel Cactus is native to Worldwide.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Milk Barrel Cactus bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Milk Barrel Cactus Flowers →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

How and When to Prune Milk Barrel Cactus →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Milk Barrel Cactus can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Milk Barrel Cactus Temperature Tolerance →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Milk Barrel Cactus 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 Milk Barrel Cactus →

🧐 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 Milk Barrel Cactus. 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!