Plants
African Milk Tree
Euphorbia trigona · Euphorbiaceae
The African milk tree looks like a cactus but is not one: Euphorbia trigona is a succulent spurge with three-angled shoots, small leaves along the ridges — and white latex sap, which clearly sets it apart from true cacti. As a ceiling-high green column it is one of the most effective architectural plants for a bright room. Important to know: the milky sap is toxic and irritates skin and mucous membranes.
- Light
- Bright to full sun; acclimatise it slowly to harsh south windows.
- Watering
- Sparing — let the substrate dry well; only a little in winter.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Euphorbia trigona
The cactus comparison is tempting but misleading: true cacti carry their spines on felted areoles and have no milky sap. The African milk tree bears paired thorns directly on its ridges with small true leaves between them — and white latex oozes out at every injury. It is in fact related to the poinsettia, not to columnar cacti.
Indoors Euphorbia trigona grows surprisingly fast for a succulent: 20 to 30 centimetres a year when well kept, until after a few years it reaches the ceiling as a multi-armed candelabra. The cultivar ‚Rubra‘ with red-violet flushed shoots and leaves is the most sought-after form in the trade.
Care is as simple as it gets: a bright to sunny spot, free-draining substrate, sparing water and room temperature all year — it should not drop below 12 degrees. If the plant sheds its small leaves in winter, that is normal; they sprout afresh along the ridges in spring.
The milky sap demands respect: it contains irritant diterpene esters that burn on skin and can cause serious inflammation in the eyes. When cutting or repotting we always wear gloves, cover the floor and stop the flow of sap with a damp cloth. In households with nibble-prone pets or small children the plant belongs out of reach.
If the column grows too tall, it can be topped with a sharp knife in spring — the cut dries over and new arms sprout below it. The removed head can be rooted as a cutting after two weeks of drying. That keeps the plant in shape and provides new stock on the side.
Is African Milk Tree toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Toxic
- Cats
- Toxic
- Dogs
- Toxic
The white latex sap in all parts of the plant is toxic and strongly irritant to cats, dogs and children — even on mere skin contact. Keep out of reach in pet households, wear gloves when working on the plant and strictly avoid eye contact.
Typical symptoms: Burning and redness on skin and mucous membranes, blistering, heavy drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea after ingestion; on eye contact severe inflammation — rinse immediately and seek medical advice.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Choose a bright to fully sunny spot; in semi-shade it grows thinner.
- 02Water sparingly: let the substrate dry out well between waterings.
- 03Water even less in winter, but never let it stay bone-dry for months.
- 04Keep warm all year, not below 12 degrees.
- 05Always wear gloves when cutting or repotting — the milky sap irritates skin.
- 06Grow tall columns in a large, heavy pot so nothing tips over.
Frequently asked
- Is the African milk tree a true cactus?
- No. It belongs to the spurge family and is more closely related to the poinsettia than to any cactus. You can tell by the white latex sap and by the thorns sitting directly on the ridges rather than on felted areoles. Its care is still very cactus-like.
- How toxic is the African milk tree to cats and dogs?
- The latex sap is distinctly toxic: even biting into it causes burning in the mouth, drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. Since the plant releases sap at any injury, we advise against it entirely in households with nibble-prone pets and recommend non-toxic alternatives such as true cacti or haworthias.
- Why is my Euphorbia trigona losing its leaves?
- The small leaves along the ridges are short-lived; in winter or after relocation the plant often sheds them completely. No cause for concern — they regrow in spring. Only if the shoots also turn soft or yellowish is something wrong with the watering.
- Can I cut the African milk tree back if it gets too tall?
- Yes, ideally in spring with a sharp, clean knife — wearing gloves without fail and stopping the emerging sap with a damp cloth. The plant branches anew below the cut, and the dried-off top can be rooted as a cutting.