Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Green Trigona Euphorbia
Green Trigona Euphorbia, also called African milk tree, grows clusters of upright, three-sided green stems that look like a tall cactus. Small leaves line the edges of the new growth, and light green markings run down the stems. It grows fast into a tight column about 6 to 8 feet tall. It makes a bold patio pot or an accent in filtered sun.
Best for: large patio pots, a tall accent in filtered sun, and entries or courtyards with shade from the afternoon sun.
It is grown most often as a container plant on a patio. A pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining mix suits it, and a pot is easy to shelter on frost nights.
Its three-sided stems grow straight up in a tight cluster about 6 to 8 feet tall. Set it where it gets filtered sun or shade from the hot afternoon sun.
It is a fast grower, so a young plant gains height quickly with warm weather and water. Give it room to reach 6 feet or more.
It is not frost hardy and needs protection when nights drop below about 33°F. Hot western sun is hard on it, and the milky sap irritates skin and eyes.
Let the soil dry thoroughly between waterings, then soak it. Water much less in winter, since soggy, cold soil can rot the roots.
In the Valley it does best in filtered sun or part shade. Keep it out of the hot western afternoon sun in summer.
It is not frost hardy. When nights drop below about 33°F, cover it with frost cloth or a sheet to the ground, not plastic, and uncover it in the morning.
Every cut or broken stem bleeds milky sap that irritates skin and eyes. Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection when you plant, move or trim it.
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.
Is African milk tree a cactus?
No. It is a succulent euphorbia that only looks like a cactus. Break a stem and it bleeds milky white sap, which cactus do not.
How big does it get?
It usually grows about 6 to 8 feet tall with tightly held stems. Give it a spot or pot with room to reach that height.
How fast does it grow?
It grows fast in warm weather. A young plant adds height quickly, so plan for a taller plant within a few seasons.
Does it need shade in Phoenix?
Yes, some. In the Valley it does best in filtered sun or part shade, with protection from the hot western afternoon sun.
How cold can it take?
It is not frost hardy. Protect it when nights drop below about 33°F with frost cloth or a sheet to the ground, not plastic.
How often should I water it?
Let the soil dry thoroughly, then water deeply. Water much less in winter, since soggy soil can rot the roots.
Is the sap dangerous?
Yes. The milky sap irritates skin and can badly injure an eye. Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection when you handle or cut it.
Is it toxic to dogs and cats?
Yes. All parts are poisonous, especially the sap, which irritates the mouth and stomach. Keep pets from chewing or breaking the stems.
Does it have thorns?
Yes. Short spines grow in pairs along the ridges of the stems, so handle it with gloves.
Is there a red form?
Yes. Ruby Red Trigona is the same plant with red-edged stems and maroon to red leaves. Its care is the same as the green form.
Green Trigona Euphorbia for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Green Trigona Euphorbia, or African milk tree, is a fast-growing euphorbia with upright green stems. Below is what to expect on size, sun, water, frost, pots and handling the sap in a Valley yard.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
African milk tree in Phoenix
African milk tree grows well in the Valley in filtered sun or part shade. It is not frost hardy, so many people grow it in a patio pot.
How tall does Euphorbia trigona get?
It usually grows about 6 to 8 feet tall with tightly held, upright stems. It is a fast grower in warm weather.
Is Euphorbia trigona a cactus?
No. It is a succulent euphorbia with three-sided stems. A broken stem bleeds milky sap, which cactus do not.
Watering African milk tree
Let the soil dry thoroughly between waterings. Cut back on water in winter to keep the roots from rotting.
Is African milk tree sap toxic?
Yes. All parts are poisonous, and the milky sap irritates skin, eyes and mouth. Wear gloves and eye protection when you handle it.
Frost protection for Euphorbia trigona
Protect it when nights drop below about 33°F. Use frost cloth or a sheet to the ground, not plastic.
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