African Milk Tree Indoor Care

African milk tree indoor care

African milk tree likes bright, indirect sunlight. A southern-facing window works well for indoor growing, as does an outdoor spot that receives partial sun. An area that receives full sun is suitable, as long as the summers are not consistently hot.

Is African milk tree a succulent?

African milk tree care is super straightforward and rewarding. Although this plant may look like a cactus, it's actually a succulent and is very easy to grow. Below is everything you need to know about growing the African milk tree, otherwise known as euphorbia trigona.

Why are the leaves on my African milk tree turning yellow?

Yellowing Leaves It's very common for African milk trees to lose leaves as they mature. But if the leaves are yellowing, it's a sign of over or underwatering. To fix this issue, make sure you are giving it the correct amount of moisture. Let the soil dry out between waterings, and always drain off any excess afterward.

When should I repot my African milk tree?

The African milk tree likes full sun and requires little water. If you're growing the plant in a container, plan to repot it once every two or three years, preferably in the spring.

Why is my African milk tree turning brown?

Curled leaves and dried brown edges are the result of too little water and over-exposure to the sun. Although this species can naturally do well in sun-filled locations, those that haven't acclimatised to the harsh rays will show signs of sun-scorch and environmental shock.

How long does an African Milk Tree live?

Another interesting use of the African Milk Tree is in tropical Africa, where this plant is used ceremonially and is planted as part of some rituals. African Milk Trees can live to a very old age. They've even been known to still be able to flower at 60 years old!

Can you propagate African Milk Tree in water?

It should not be rooted in water or it will rot. To propagate this plant, you can take a stem cutting in late spring or early summer. Protect your skin and eyes when making cuttings, as the sap can cause irritation or an allergic reaction to some people.

Do African milk trees lose their leaves in winter?

Natural leaf cycle can result in leaf drop. If you have noticed that your African Milk Tree is starting to lose leaves during autumn and winter, then this might simply be part of the natural growth cycle. African Milk Trees commonly drop quite a lot of their leaves during the dormant period to preserve energy.

Does yellow leaves mean too much watering?

Water issues — either too much or too little — are the leading reason behind yellow leaves. In overly wet soil, roots can't breathe. They suffocate, shut down and stop delivering the water and nutrients plants need. Underwatering, or drought, has a similar effect.

Should I wipe my plant leaves with milk?

But milk does actually contain some vitamins and minerals that can be beneficial to plant leaves. The small dose of calcium can actually be healthy for the leaves, and the protein in dairy milk can help break up debris or residue on the leaves.

How often should African Milk Tree be watered?

Be sure to check whether the soil of your Milk tree is dry before you water your plant. This will generally take a little longer during the winter. On average, you'll water your plant every 2-3 weeks.

Can I cut the top off African milk plant?

Your plant is called a Euphorbia Trigona, also called an African Milk Tree or Cathedral Cactus. It looks like a cactus but really isn't one. It is a deciduous succulent from western Africa. You can't trim any of the stems, but you can totally remove some to make the plant more manageable.

How can we encourage the growth of African milk tree?

Like most succulents, African milk tree plants are easy to care for. They like well-draining soil and infrequent watering. Keep them in a bright sunny spot but try and provide some shade during the hottest hours. Keep up their vigorous growth by repotting every year and fertilizing during the growing season.

Should I prune my African milk tree?

I'm gonna come back and make that a little bit neater. And you know your plant is healthy when you

How do I know if my African milk tree is dying?

A dying African Milk Tree can also indicate lighting issues If leaf burn is why your African Milk Tree is dying, you'll notice the burnt patches on the side facing the sun as they are receiving the most light exposure.

How poisonous is African milk tree?

African Milk Trees are mildly toxic to pets and humans. Ingestion will cause mouth and stomach irritation and possible vomiting. Some people experience skin irritation when handling the sap.

Why is my African milk tree turning purple?

This is part of the natural life cycle of the African Milk Tree. Also, if your plant is looking happy and healthy but turning a light purple-reddish color, you likely have the euphorbia trigona 'rubra' variety which produces the color from the more sun it gets.

Will African milk tree grow new leaves?

This plant needs good light levels and if you can't give this, a grow light will be required. If the light being received is too low, you'll have little to no new growth. New leaves will only grow on one side of the plant and stems may also bend towards light sources rather than straight upwards.

Should I cut off the yellow leaves?

Pulling Away Yellow or Brown Leaves Trimming or plucking away yellowing or dead leaves is an easy way to help prevent any unwelcome plant pests from settling onto your plant, which are attracted to decaying or dead leaves more than healthy ones, and they are more likely to appear on a struggling plant.

What do Overwatered leaves look like?

If a plant is overwatered, it will likely develop yellow or brown limp, droopy leaves as opposed to dry, crispy leaves (which are a sign of too little water). Wilting leaves combined with wet soil usually mean that root rot has set in and the roots can no longer absorb water. 2.