A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2003 Pencil plant?

Can a pencil plant take full sun planted in the ground?

I know they have a very sticky white substance that is supposed to really burn when touched! Hope the cats don't rub on it!

Catlover -
If the "Pencil plant" you are referring to is Euphorbia tirucalli, then yes, it prefers full sun. Contact with the milky white "sap" does produce skin irritation, but the severity depends on individual sensitivy. All parts of the plant are mildy toxic if ingested (usually sickness only). It is hardy to temps as low as 25* for short periods.


Nikkal

I have two pencil plants (one green, one red) that didn't do too well in full sun here, but they are loving partial shade. Maybe I have hybrids??????


If I get accidently stuck with the thorns from any of the euphorbia varieties that have 'em, the site inflates like a balloon, and itches like mad...I'm REALLY sensitive to them...

Hmmmm mine is green....I will have to look and see if there are any thorns....don't remember any! :rolleyes:

Good Morning Catlover,

How do you like the nip in the air we have this morning? Loved that misty rain yesterday.

I went out a snapped a pic of our pencil plant and have posted it on webshots. Look in the folder named Newest Mother, etc.

Look in Newest Mother, etc.

The second plant in the purple pot we thought was a pencil plant, but now Jillie isn't sure. The first plant is in the shade and the second plant get full sun. We had the first plant in full sun, but it didn't do well. It has tripled it's size in the shade.

Let us know if this is what your plant looks like. This plant doesn't have any spines/thorns. Jillie was referring to her reaction to other euphorbias that do have them.

Warm Regards,
Your Hollywood

Hollywood thanks for the clarification on the euphorbs....
Thats it exactly!!!!! Yeppie!!!! Okay I will try a chunk in semi shade and the rest in the sun cactus garden... during the winter this one part of the garden doesn't get much light but during the summer watch out!
I love your pix....I am just in awe everytime I see them....don't have much time today but I will definitely be back many times to "steal some of your ideas".
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Hi catlover,

You are such a Dear! We do adore working in this garden and making it as enchanted as we can. Please feel free to "steal" all the ideas from our garden that tickle your fancy, the more the merrier!

When we have a sunny weekend I plan to take my new camera and do some single shots of our many potted plants and more of the garden whimsy that we have not posted to webshots. I will let you know when to take a look.
Be sure to let us know what happens with your pencil plant.