Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Pencil Tree

Euphorbia Tirucalli

Design with this plant

Overview

The Euphorbia tirucalli, commonly known as Pencil Tree, is a striking succulent reaching up to 6-30 feet tall. Its slender, green cylindrical branches resemble pencils, thus its name. Drought-tolerant and sun-loving, this plant thrives in USDA zones 10-11. When handling, caution is advised as its milky sap can be irritating to skin and eyes. Adds architectural interest to xeriscapes with minimal maintenance.

Sun FullWater Very LowZones 8–10Type Shrub, Succulent, Tree
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — Native to semi-arid tropical climates; offering flexibility within your design scheme, image 98

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Very Low
USDA zones
8–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Shrub, Succulent, Tree
Family
Euphorbiaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (136)

Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — Its adaptability also allows it to be presented as a potted feature; the Euphorbia tirucalli, commonly known as, image 88
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — The Pencil Tree prefers a full sun exposure, which enhances the photosynthetic process in its slender stalks; its
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — commonly referred to as the Pencil Tree or Milk Bush; drought-tolerant and sun-loving, this plant thrives in, image 60
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — Adds architectural interest to xeriscapes with minimal maintenance
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — The Euphorbia tirucalli, commonly known as Pencil Tree, is a striking succulent reaching up to 6-30 feet tall; when
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — pencil-like branches that grow with a vibrant green hue; the Pencil Tree prefers a full sun exposure, which enhances the
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — the Pencil Tree offers an exotic look with minimal upkeep; dry regions as it thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 9, image 69
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — Drought-tolerant and sun-loving, this plant thrives in USDA zones 10-11; shrub / succulent / tree for full
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — the Pencil Tree offers an exotic look with minimal upkeep; dry regions as it thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 9, image 105
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — When handling, caution is advised as its milky sap can be irritating to skin and eyes; architecturally unique, image 112
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — commonly referred to as the Pencil Tree or Milk Bush
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — The Euphorbia tirucalli, commonly known as Pencil Tree, is a striking succulent reaching up to 6-30 feet tall, image 91
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — Drought-tolerant and sun-loving, this plant thrives in USDA zones 10-11; shrub / succulent / tree for full, image 93
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — commonly referred to as the Pencil Tree or Milk Bush; drought-tolerant and sun-loving, this plant thrives in USDA zones
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — Drought-tolerant and sun-loving, this plant thrives in USDA zones 10-11; shrub / succulent / tree for full, image 57
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — Adds architectural interest to xeriscapes with minimal maintenance; its tolerance for drought makes it a, image 77
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — dry regions as it thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11; this succulent is characterized by its smooth, image 66
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — Its tolerance for drought makes it a sustainable choice; adds architectural interest to xeriscapes with minimal, image 68
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — The Euphorbia tirucalli, commonly known as Pencil Tree, is a striking succulent reaching up to 6-30 feet tall, image 37
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — Its adaptability also allows it to be presented as a potted feature; the Euphorbia tirucalli, commonly known as, image 106
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — Native to semi-arid tropical climates; offering flexibility within your design scheme, image 44
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — offering flexibility within your design scheme
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — When handling, caution is advised as its milky sap can be irritating to skin and eyes
Pencil Tree (Euphorbia Tirucalli) — Native to semi-arid tropical climates; offering flexibility within your design scheme, image 80
Photographs by 13 contributors

Related plants

African Candelabra (Euphorbia Ammak 'Green') — commonly known as African Candelabra

Succulent

African Candelabra

Euphorbia Ammak 'Green'

FullUSDA 11–11
Arizona Nettlespurge (Jatropha Cinerea) — scientifically referred to as Jatropha cinerea

Shrub

Arizona Nettlespurge

Jatropha Cinerea

FullUSDA 9–10
Baja Spurge (Euphorbia Xantii) — Euphorbia xantii, or Baja Spurge, is a perennial succulent native to Baja California

Perennial

Baja Spurge

Euphorbia Xantii

FullUSDA 9–11
Blue Euphorbia, Sweet Noor (Euphorbia Coerulescens) — Blue Euphorbia (Euphorbia coerulescens)

Cactus

Blue Euphorbia, Sweet Noor

Euphorbia Coerulescens

FullUSDA 9–11
Bush Or Dome Euphorbia (Euphorbia Characias) — as this euphorbia is drought-tolerant and prefers drier conditions once established; perennial for full

Perennial

Bush Or Dome Euphorbia

Euphorbia Characias

FullUSDA 7–10
California Copper Leaf (Acalypha Californica) — The California Copper Leaf, Acalypha californica, is a native perennial shrub standing 1.5-3 ft tall

Ground cover

California Copper Leaf

Acalypha Californica

FullUSDA 8–11