Euphorbia horrida

Water whenever the top couple inches of soil feels dry from spring to fall when the plant is actively growing. During the winter, reduce watering to only when the plant shows signs of wilt.

Originating from arid areas, the African milk barrel performs best in full sun, as its native habitat is marked by intense sunlight and scant shade. It can also tolerate partial sun, providing some flexibility in its growth.

Although the African milk barrel can tolerate some heat, it mainly thrives and grows in cooler seasons and becomes dormant in summer. In hot summer conditions, provide shade to avoid scorching from intense sunlight. Watering should be reduced or stopped during the hottest season to prevent root rot. It shows vigorous growth in winter and spring, and provided temperatures do not fall too low, it will continue to grow steadily.

For African milk barrel, light applications of fertilizer 1-2 times a year during the growing season are enough. Do not fertilize in winter or summer when the plant is dormant. Use less fertilizer on repotted plants and wait a couple of months after repotting before you apply fertilizer. Fertilizing helps maintain healthy growth and promotes blooming.

Repot an African milk barrel in the warmer months, selecting a container only slightly bigger than the existing one that has good drainage. Use a fast-draining cactus or succulent potting mix. Handle the roots and caudex carefully during the repotting process. After repotting, wait roughly a week before watering to avoid root rot. Put the plant in a sunny location for best growth.

The milky sap (latex) running throughout Euphorbia plants is toxic to people and animals both via skin contact and ingestion. The plants actually use the sap as a defense mechanism to prevent animals from feeding on it, and the sap has some antifungal and antibacterial properties.