by Lisa Truesdale
a classic symbol of Southwest living
TALL, STATELY AND DRAMATIC, Euphorbia ingens reaches toward the sky, radiating its classic Southwestern vibe with the utmost confidence. Euphorbia ingens, a succulent, and Cereus peruviana, a cactus, look almost like twins, with distinctive pillars reminiscent of the mighty saguaro.
“The saguaro—among other plant species with a similar appearance—is one of the most iconic symbols of the Southwest,” says Lynn Payne, president of Payne’s Nurseries in Santa Fe. Images of these majestic, columnar plants instantly conjure visions of the region, and they symbolize endurance and resilience.
“Endurance and resilience” describes Euphorbia ingens in the home landscape, too. Native to Africa, it somehow found its way to the Sororan Desert, where it thrives in the extreme heat and relishes the low— and often nonexistent—humidity. In the high desert areas of northern New Mexico, however, this easycare succulent prefers living in pots, so it can bask outdoors in the heat, yet easily retreat inside when it’s time to escape the frost. Here’s how to care for yours:
Placement. From spring to fall, place Euphorbia ingens outside. “They like to be out in full sun as much as possible,” says Steven Brack of the Cactus and Succulent Society of New Mexico. Move the pots inside when the frost arrives, but focus on location.
“There often isn’t enough light inside to help these plants thrive normally,” he says. “If the light level is too low, the growth will get spindly and weak.”
Payne agrees—place them in the brightest possible location inside, like next to a large window. “Euphorbia ingens and Cereus peruviana both make great houseplants because they thrive on neglect,” she says.
“Move them outside for their summer vacation. Just don’t put them in full sun right away; like people, if they’re not used to a lot of sun, they will get sunburn.”
Watering. “When living outdoors, these plants can have a deep soak two or three times a month, depending on pot size,” advises Brack.
If they’re getting plenty of sun indoors, Payne says to water them only when the soil is dry. But if the location is not in full sun, he suggests keeping it dry throughout the winter; less water is better so that it grows more slowly, with thicker, stronger stems. If it remains indoors all year long, a deep soak about once a month from spring to fall should do it, he says.
Pruning. Euphorbia ingens—referred to as “the candelabra tree”—can reach heights of 30 feet or more when fully mature, says Brack, meaning it could outgrow nearly any indoor space.
“When it starts to get too big, it will need to be pruned so that it fits inside the house,” he says. Cut off the stems with a handsaw, allow them to dry out for about two weeks, then plant them in another pot. “After a couple of months, they will root and start to grow.”
Sap. It’s no wonder Euphorbia ingens’ other nickname is “the African milk tree”—these plants secrete a sticky white sap when cut. The sap, also called latex, repels insects and vegetarian mammals in search of a meal (just like the latex in the poinsettia, another type of Euphorbia). Unfortunately, humans and pets should avoid it, too. “It’s toxic to people and animals if ingested,” says Aryne Chacon, greenhouse manager at Rehm’s Nursery and Garden Center, “and very irritating to the skin.”
Any unintentional leaking of sap from the plant could be a sign of an injury from a pest, she adds. Wear protective gloves when examining the injury, clean the affected area with clean water, and consult a professional for advice if the damage is extensive.
resources
Payne’s Nurseries
Rehm’s Nursery and Garden Center
rehmsnurserynm.com
