Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Crested Lucky Cactus
Crested Lucky Cactus is a crested form of the candelabra euphorbia, Euphorbia ingens, where the growing tips spread into wavy, fan-like crests instead of upright stems. Every plant grows its own shape. It makes a one-of-a-kind specimen for a large patio pot in filtered sun.
Best for: specimen patio pots and covered or filtered-sun spots where a one-of-a-kind form can be seen up close, away from kids and pets.
Its crested, fan-like growth makes each plant a little different. Show it in a large patio pot with fast-draining cactus mix.
In Phoenix, candelabra euphorbias do best in part to filtered sun, protected from intense western summer sun.
It is frost tender, so a pot lets you move it under cover on freeze nights, around 28 to 30°F.
Frost damages it, soggy soil rots it, and its sap can cause blindness. Keep it away from paths, kids and pets, and move it under cover on freeze nights.
Water deeply, then let the soil dry out before the next watering. Water during the warm growing months, infrequently, and keep it nearly dry in winter. Soggy soil rots the roots.
In Phoenix it does best in part to filtered sun, with protection from intense western summer sun.
It is frost tender, hardy to about 28 to 30°F. Cover it with frost cloth to the ground on freeze nights, or move a pot under cover.
Every cut or broken stem bleeds milky sap that irritates skin and eyes. Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection when you plant or trim it. Handle the crest gently with gloves; any break bleeds sap.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
What is a crested lucky cactus?
It is a crested form of the lucky cactus, Euphorbia ingens, where the growing tips spread into wavy fans instead of upright stems.
Is crested lucky cactus a cactus?
No. It is a euphorbia, a succulent related to poinsettias, even though it looks like a cactus. A broken stem bleeds milky sap, which cacti do not.
Is the sap dangerous?
Yes. The white sap of this species is especially toxic and can cause blindness if it gets in the eyes. Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection, and get medical care right away if sap gets in an eye.
Is it toxic to pets?
Yes. Euphorbias are toxic to dogs and cats if chewed; the sap irritates the mouth and stomach and can cause vomiting. Plant it where pets cannot chew it.
How much sun does it need?
It does best in part sun or filtered sun. In Phoenix, set the pot where a wall or patio cover shields it from intense western summer sun.
How often should I water it?
Water infrequently during the warm months when the soil is dry, and keep it nearly dry in winter. Soggy soil rots the roots.
How cold can it take?
It is frost tender, about 28 to 30°F. Cover it or move a pot under cover on freeze nights.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes. It is often grown in large containers on patios. Use fast-draining cactus mix and a pot with a drain hole.
Crested Lucky Cactus for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Crested Lucky Cactus is a crested form of Euphorbia ingens, the lucky cactus or candelabra euphorbia. Care is the same as the species: filtered sun, little water and a cover on freeze nights. Below is what to expect on sun, water, cold, pots and handling.
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What is a crested Euphorbia ingens?
It is a crested form of the candelabra euphorbia, with fan-like, wavy growth instead of upright stems.
Crested lucky cactus care in Phoenix
Give it part to filtered sun, infrequent water in the warm months and frost protection in winter.
Is crested lucky cactus a real cactus?
No. It is a euphorbia, not a true cactus. Cut stems bleed toxic milky sap.
Is Euphorbia ingens poisonous?
Yes. The white sap is extremely toxic and can cause blindness. Wear eye protection and gloves.
Is crested lucky cactus frost hardy?
No. It is frost tender, about 28 to 30°F. Protect it on freeze nights.
Crested lucky cactus in a pot
Use a large pot with fast-draining cactus mix and a drain hole.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.