Euphorbia Ingens: Tips and Care Guide!

Are you looking for a low-maintenance plant that adds drama and flair to your home or garden? If so, you might consider the Euphorbia Ingens, the candelabra tree, or the naboom. This succulent plant can adapt to various climates and soils and, in the right conditions, produce small green flowers and red fruits.

However, before you rush to get your own Euphorbia Ingens, there are some things you need to know about its care and maintenance. This plant is not for the faint of heart, as it has some special requirements and challenges.

So, today, we will give you some tips and advice on how to grow and care for Euphorbia Ingens. We will also cover topics such as watering, fertilizing, pruning, propagating, and more.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the beauty of this amazing plant for years to come. Let’s get started!

Essential Care Tips for Euphorbia Ingens

Firstly, let’s have a quick fact-check about this plant for better knowledge. Well, Euphorbia Ingens is a species of succulent plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is native to dry areas of Southern Africa and is popularly known as the candelabra tree or naboom. This succulent plant has dark green, four-lobed stems with spines and small, greenish-yellow flowers. It can grow up to 40 feet (12 m) tall outdoors, but, usually stays around 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3 m) tall indoors.

Furthermore, it is a low-maintenance plant, but, they still need some primary care to thrive. However, it is also highly poisonous and can cause skin irritation, blindness, and poisoning if ingested by humans or animals.

Here are some essential care tips for Euphorbia ingens:

1. Light

These succulents require plenty of sunlight to thrive. A location that receives several hours of bright, direct light is best, although it can also tolerate medium light. Like many succulents, this plant cannot tolerate low light. If the plant does not receive enough light, it may grow towards the light source and become crooked or unstable.

To prevent or fix this problem, move the plant to a brighter location that receives several hours of direct sunlight daily.

2. Soil

A sandy, well-draining soil mix is best for Euphorbia ingens. They are not picky regarding soil pH and grow readily in poor-quality soils. We recommend you choose a potting mix designed for cacti and succulents. Or mix your own at home using a 1:1:1 ratio of potting soil, perlite, and sand. Plus, using a pot with drainage holes is the best option to avoid waterlogging. You can also add some gravel or pebbles to the bottom of the pot to improve drainage.

3. Water

Euphorbia ingens are accustomed to dry, arid conditions and can tolerate periods of drought. Overwatering is one of the most common reasons that these succulents suffer when grown in garden beds or indoors as a houseplant. So, it’s better to ensure that you are letting the soil dry out first between watering and then watering thoroughly.

Watering once every two to three weeks is usually enough, but you may need to adjust the frequency depending on the season and the climate.

4. Temperature and Humidity

This succulent plant thrives better in warm, dry conditions. They can tolerate temperatures ranging from 50°F to 90°F, but they prefer temperatures around 82 °F. Furthermore, it has been observed that these succulents do not like cold or frosty weather. So, you should bring them indoors or protect them with a cover if the temperature drops below 50°F.

They also do not like high humidity, so you should avoid misting them or placing them near humidifiers or sources of moisture.

5. Fertilizer

During the spring and summer months, you can fertilize your Euphorbia ingens with a low-strength fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. If you fertilize your plant once or twice a year, by following the instructions on the label, it’s more than enough for its growth.

Remember, do not over-fertilize, as this can stimulate rapid growth and make the plant weak and prone to pests and diseases. Also, you do not need to fertilize your ingens during the fall and winter months, as they enter a dormant period and do not need extra nutrients.

Read other blogs: Monstera droopy; Hoya shepherdii bloom care and Coral cactus guide!

Steps to Propagating Euphorbia Ingens

Your Euphorbia ingens can grow up to 40 feet tall outdoors, but they usually stay around 8 to 10 feet tall indoors. It has dark green, four-lobed stems with spines and small, greenish-yellow flowers. Plus, your succulent plant can be propagated by seeds or stem-cutting methods, but the latter is easier and faster.

So, here are the steps to propagate your ingens plant by stem cuttings:

Step 1: Take the Cuttings

• The best time to take cuttings is in spring or summer when the plant is actively growing.

• Next, you need to use a sharp and clean knife to cut off a healthy branch near the plant’s base.

• Hold the cutting under cold running water to wash off the milky latex sap that oozes from the cut end. This is because sap is toxic and irritating, so wear gloves and eye protection when handling the plant.

• Let the cutting dry for a few days in a shaded, airy place.

Step 2: Plant the Cuttings

• After cutting stems, it’s time to prepare a pot with drainage holes and fill it with a sandy, well-draining soil mix. For this, you can use a commercial cactus and succulent mix. Or make your own by mixing potting soil, perlite, and sand in a 1:1:1 ratio.

• Now, make a hole in the soil and insert the cutting about an inch deep.

• Place the pot in a bright location that receives indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sun, as it can scorch the cutting.

• Water the cutting sparingly, only when the soil is completely dry.

Step 3: Care for the Cuttings

• After planting the cuttings, you need to wait for a few weeks to a few months, depending on the size and condition of the cutting. You can check for roots by gently tugging the cutting. If it resists, it has rooted.

• Once the cutting has rooted, you can transplant it to a larger pot or the ground if you live in a warm and dry climate.

• Fertilize your Euphorbia ingens once or twice a year with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Plus, prune your plant occasionally to remove dead or damaged branches and to shape it as desired.

Common Problems With Euphorbia Ingens

As we have an idea, these cactus-looking plants are fairly low-maintenance and problem-free succulents. But they can still suffer from some issues if not cared for properly. The most common problems encountered when growing these succulents usually arise from improper watering or humid conditions. For your convenience, we have jotted down some symptoms and causes, along with the solution tips. Let’s take a look.

1. Yellowing Stems

Yellowing stems can be a sign of underwatering or insufficient light. Underwatering can cause the plant to lose its turgor and wilt, resulting in yellow and droopy stems. On the other hand, insufficient light can also cause the plant to lose its green color and become pale and yellow.

2. Mushy Stems

This issue might be caused due to overwatering or root rot. It has been observed that overwatering can cause the plant to absorb too much water and swell, resulting in soft and mushy stems. In addition, root rot can also occur when the soil is too wet and the roots are deprived of oxygen, leading to decay and infection.

3. Leaning Stems

Another common problem with Euphorbia ingens is leaning stems. It can be caused by several factors, such as:

• If the plant does not receive enough light, it may grow towards the light source and become crooked or unstable.
• If the plant has excessive growth, then it may become top-heavy and lean over.
• Due to weak support, it may lean over due to gravity or wind.

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