Top 100

African milk tree

Euphorbia trigona

#100 of the top 100

African milk tree
Photo by Frank Vincentz · CC BY-SA 3.0

How to care

Euphorbia trigona, also known as the African Milk Tree, is a succulent plant that thrives in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. It is drought-tolerant and prefers to dry out between waterings. This plant is sensitive to overwatering, so ensure the soil is completely dry before watering again. It does not require frequent fertilization and can be sensitive to excess nutrients.

Light Preference

  • Part Shade
  • Full Sun

Size

Height
2.5 m – 4 m
Spread
0.5 m – 1 m
Years
10 – 20

Preferred soil

  • Loam
  • Sand
  • Acidic
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral

Propagation

  • Cutting

Life Cycle

Perennial

Lives for more than two years.

Hardiness Zone

10a

-1.1°C – 1.7°C

113

Leaves

  • Deciduous
  • Green

Flowers

  • Green

Toxic to

  • SapCatsModerate · Eye contact
  • SapCatsModerate · Ingestion
  • SapCatsModerate · Skin contact
  • SapDogsModerate · Eye contact
  • SapDogsModerate · Ingestion
  • SapDogsModerate · Skin contact
  • SapHumansModerate · Eye contact
  • SapHumansModerate · Ingestion

Informational only — not veterinary or medical advice. Missing data does not mean a plant is safe.

Other names

  • Abyssinian euphorbia
  • Cathedral cactus

Taxonomy

Order
Malpighiales
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Genus
Euphorbia

Wikipedia

Wikipedia

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