Euphorbia ingens (Candelabra tree) Profile

Euphorbia Ingens (Candelabra tree) is a spiny, evergreen, succulent tree with a short trunk, usually growing to 12 m tall. Euphorbia Ingens was collected from the wild and used locally as medicine and occasionally as wood. Euphorbia Ingens is grown as an ornamental plant in succulent or rock gardens in South Africa and the United States.

Euphorbia Ingens Picture

Euphorbia Ingens Info

Scientific Name	Euphorbia Ingens
Common Names	Candelabra Tree, Common Tree Euphorbia, Cactus Euphorbia, Cactus Spurge
Family	Euphorbiaceae
Genus	Euphorbia
Range	Africa - Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, S. Africa.
Growth Rate	Fast Growing
Height	20 - 50 feet
Width	6 - 10 feet

Euphorbia Ingens Native Habits

Euphorbia Ingens can survive in areas that experience prolonged drought or are usually very dry. Euphorbia Ingens can survive moderate frosts as low as about -2°C. Euphorbia Ingens prefer open, sunny location. Successful in dry, sandy, well drained soil. euphorbia ingens prefers warmer areas and can survive in areas that experience prolonged drought or are usually very dry. Euphorbia Ingens usually grows in deep sand in rocky outcrops or shrub vegetation. Birds like to build nests in these trees; Burrowing birds such as woodpeckers often use dead zones.
Read More:
12 Popular Evergreen Plants with Pictures for Beginners

Euphorbia Ingens Distribution

Euphorbia Ingens occurs in Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania, South Africa (in the north and east of the country), Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Swaziland. It grows on dry lands and semi savannas. Euphorbia Ingens prefers warm regions as it can survive long droughts. Euphorbia Ingens usually roots on rocky outcrops or deep in sand among the bush.

How to Grow & Care for Euphorbia Ingens

How to Grow Euphorbia Ingens

Propagate Euphorbia Ingens from seeds. However, it is not only difficult to find the seeds but generally germinating them is a challenge. Therefore the best way to propagate these plants is through cuttings.
Propagate Euphorbia Ingens with Stem Cuttings
Wear gloves before handling the plants because it is naturally poisonous.
Use a sharp knife to take cuttings from around the branching point.
Hold it under cold running water to wash away the milky latex.
Allow the cutting to dry for about two weeks. You will notice a callus over the cut ends.
Plant them in preferred soil and see your Euphorbia Ingens grow into a beautiful tree.

How to Care for Euphorbia Ingens

• Light Care

Euphorbia Ingens is happiest in bright sunlight. He will prefer a south or west facing window with as much light as possible. Place Euphorbia Ingens in a few feet away from any sunny window where he can enjoy as much sunlight as possible. Lighting-wise Euphorbia Ingens pairs perfectly with Sasha, the citrus tree and Alex.

• Soil Care

Euphorbia Ingens grows well in well-draining, gritty soils or cactus potting mix. Euphorbia Ingens are not particular about soil pH, but they cannot tolerate wet soil.

• Water Care

The only strict rule when it comes to watering succulents is not to overwater them. Euphorbia Ingens like it when they are dried out before you water them again. Euphorbia Ingens can even survive drought, but not for a long period. 

• Temperature and Humidity Care

When it comes to temperature, tolerance may vary from one species to another. While succulent Euphorbia Ingens generally enjoy high summer temperatures, the minimum winter temperatures they can tolerate vary. For example, species from West and Central Africa, as well as from the tropical and subtropical regions of America, require temperatures between 13°C to 15°C (55°F to 60°F) in the winter. Meanwhile, species from East Africa and Madagascar need temperatures between 10°C to 13°C (50°F to 55°F). Euphorbia Ingens will fit perfectly into the climate of the ordinary home. They like it dry, so need for misting. 

• Fertilizer Care

Feed your euphorbia in the spring when new growth begins. Use a water-soluble fertilizer in a 10-10-10 NPK formulation, diluted to half the recommended strength.

• Pruning Care

Use a sharp knife to take cuttings from around the branching point. Hold it under cold running water to wash away the milky latex. Allow the cutting to dry for about two weeks. You will notice a callus over the cut ends.

Euphorbia Ingens Uses

Medicinal Uses

Although the latex of Euphorbia Ingens is very toxic, known to cause intense irritation and blistering to the skin and mucous membranes as well as temporary or even permanent blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes, it is often used in traditional medicine.
The latex is taken in very small amounts, often on sugar, as a drastic purgative and to treat alcohol dependency.
The stems of Brachystegia spiciformis are chewed and the fibres dipped into the latex of this plant; the fibres are then dried and burnt and the smoke inhaled to treat asthma and bronchitis. The latex is used to treat chronic ulcers, warts and cancer. Pulverized root or a few drops of latex in porridge is eaten to treat bronchitis.

Other Uses

The Euphorbia Ingens wood is light and tough and is used to make boats, planks, and doors. Before cutting, the trunk is scorched to prevent the toxic latex from splashing.

Varieties of Euphorbia 

Euphorbia pulcherrima
Most Popular Types of Euphorbia Varieties. This small tree or shrub features upright succulent stems with beautiful blazing red leaves that look like flowers. It is one of the most beautiful houseplants that you can grow.
Euphorbia abyssinica
Desert Candle is a tree-like succulent with a thick green trunk that becomes woody with maturity. It grows flowers without petals having yellow bracts.
Euphorbia tirucalli
The cylindrical-shaped branches of this plant look a lot like a pencil. Though it is usually green, but keep it in full sun and it will take a fiery red hue!
Euphorbia trigona
You must have seen this plant in a lot of pictures and movies! It looks a lot like cactus, but is actually a succulent! And yes, it can grow up to an impressive height of 6-8 feet.
Euphorbia lactea
This small shrub showcases upright green stems in cross-sections with a pale center. They have showy white and lime green patterns, with a couple of blackthorns.

Euphorbia Ingens Common Pests/Diseases

It is important to mention that the Euphorbia Ingens is a poisonous plant. If ingested, the latex can pose certain health threats. It can cause skin irritation and even blindness on contact. Since it is considered to be toxic, a lot of people avoid planting them in areas accessible to children and pets. There is a bright side to the toxic nature of this plant – the poisonous latex makes sure that pests bring no damage to the plants.

Euphorbia Ingens Companion Plants

Euphorbia Ingens make great companion plants for most other xeriscape warm garden lanscapes and even good companions for each other, as can plainly be seen here (Euphorbia ammak hugging a Euphorbia Ingens)