Sticks-on-fire are toxic, should be handled with care

Like most succulents, euphorbia members thrive in the wintertime, especially the euphorbia tirucalli or sticks-on-fire (also called fire stick, finger plant, Indian tree spurge, or pencil plant) which turns bright orange to red in cold temperatures.

Shrubs of sticks-on-fire can be seen growing in yards and nurseries all around Fallbrook, noticeable for their glowing color and unique shape which is unlike the rest of the euphorbia family.

While the famous poinsettia belongs to the euphorbia family, it is not a succulent, however, it has a characteristic common to its succulent cousins. They are all toxic or poisonous, to varying degrees.

As a member of the Fallbrook Garden Club and several other garden clubs in the past, Chris Sangster has become an expert on succulents. She propagates (grows from cuttings) all kinds of plants for the club, including euphorbia.

Sangster said that the sticks-on-fire shrub can grow to 25 feet tall by 8 to 10 feet wide. The branches are vertical and as thin as pencils, which is why it is also know as the pencil plant. It has small leaves that are not easily seen and drop before the end of the growing season. It has tiny yellow flowers from September to December.

The plant is native to a wide range of land from Madagascar north through tropical and subtropical Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India. According to Sangster, the sticks-on-fire only needs water about every two to three weeks in summer and none in winter.

The plant should be allowed to dry out before watering again. While that low need for water makes it popular, Sangster advises gardeners to be cautious when caring for this plant as the stems break easily which can be a problem as its milky sap is toxic and can make a person sick.

She suggests wearing disposable gloves when working with sticks-on-fire to avoid skin contact with the sap and also because the sap on a regular gardening glove will remain toxic long after the plant was handled.

Sangster also said, "When working with this plant use protective goggles, and if you do get it [sap] in the eyes, seek medical attention quickly. For this reason this plant should also not be planted near paths."

The plants breakability also makes it unsuitable for homes where there are children, or dogs who like to chew on everything.

Note: A longer version of this article was published in the Village News, January 2017.