Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Lucky Cactus
Lucky cactus is a tall, candelabra-shaped euphorbia that gives a Valley yard a bold, upright centerpiece on little water. Thick, winged green stems branch upward over time and can reach 10 to 20 feet. It grows well in filtered sun and in large patio containers. Use it as a focal point or a tall accent in a big pot.
Best for: A bold focal point with afternoon shade, a tall accent in a large patio pot, or a low-water bed.
Its thick, upright stems branch into a candelabra 10 to 20 feet tall over time. In the Valley, set it where it gets filtered sun or shelter from the hot western afternoon sun.
It grows well in a large container on a patio. Use a well-drained mix and a pot with a drainage hole.
Once it is rooted, it gets by on little water. Water infrequently in the warm months, let the soil dry between waterings, and keep it on the dry side in winter.
Intense western summer sun is hard on it, and it takes only light frost, about 28 to 30°F. Small paired thorns line the ribs, and the milky sap is very toxic.
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.
First two weeks. In the Valley, water every 1 to 2 days in summer and every 3 to 4 days in the cooler months. Always water deeply, slow and long enough that moisture soaks down to the root zone, not just the surface.
After that, taper gradually. Stretch slowly to about every 7 days in summer, or every 10 to 14 days in the cooler months, by week 8. Higher and cooler areas water less often. See how to water new plants for your area and plant type.
Read the soil, not a schedule. Push a long screwdriver into the soil about an hour after watering. It slides easily through wet soil and stops at dry soil. Once a plant is rooted, water again when it will not go in more than 3 to 4 inches.
Fertilizer. Most desert-adapted plants establish without heavy feeding. Too much fertilizer pushes soft, leggy growth.
How big does lucky cactus get?
In the ground it can reach about 10 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide. In its native Africa it grows much taller, 30 feet or more.
How fast does lucky cactus grow?
It grows at a moderate to fast pace. With age it forms a tight, upright candelabra.
Is lucky cactus a real cactus?
No. It is a euphorbia, more closely related to poinsettias than to cactus. Break a stem and it bleeds milky sap, which cactus do not.
Does lucky cactus have thorns?
Yes. Small thorns grow in pairs along its winged ribs, so wear gloves when you handle it.
Is the sap dangerous?
Yes. The milky sap is very toxic. It can cause severe skin irritation, and in the eyes it can cause blindness. Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection when you handle or cut it.
Is lucky cactus toxic to dogs and cats?
Yes. The sap is toxic if eaten and irritates the mouth and stomach. Keep pets from chewing or breaking the stems.
Does lucky cactus need full sun in Phoenix?
No. In the Valley it does best in filtered sun or part shade. Protect it from the intense western afternoon sun in summer.
How cold can lucky cactus take?
It takes light frost only, down to about 28 to 30°F for short spells. On the coldest nights, cover it with frost cloth or a sheet, not plastic.
How often should I water lucky cactus?
Water it infrequently in the warm months and let the soil dry between waterings. Keep it on the dry side in winter. Soggy soil can rot the roots.
Does lucky cactus flower?
Yes. Small, waxy yellow flowers form along the rib edges near the top of the stems. They show in fall and winter.
Can lucky cactus grow in a pot?
Yes. It is grown in large containers on patios. Use a well-drained mix and a pot with a drainage hole.
Lucky Cactus for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Lucky cactus, also called candelabra tree, is a tree-like euphorbia from southern Africa. Its thick, winged green stems branch upward into a candelabra shape. Below is what to expect on size, sun, water, cold and pots in a Valley yard.
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Lucky cactus in Phoenix yards
Lucky cactus, also called candelabra tree, is a tree-like euphorbia from southern Africa. Its thick, winged green stems branch upward into a candelabra. Valley homeowners use it as a focal point and in large patio pots.
How big does a candelabra tree get?
In the ground it can reach about 10 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide. It grows at a moderate to fast pace and forms a tight, upright candelabra with age.
Is lucky cactus a real cactus?
No. It is a euphorbia, more closely related to poinsettias than to cactus. Small thorns grow in pairs along its ribs, and a broken stem bleeds milky sap. True cactus do not have milky sap.
Lucky cactus sun in Phoenix
In the Valley it does best in filtered sun or part shade. Give it protection from the intense western afternoon sun in summer.
How cold can lucky cactus get in Arizona?
It takes light frost only, to about 28 to 30°F for short spells. On the coldest nights, cover it with frost cloth or a sheet draped to the ground. Take the cover off in the morning.
Watering lucky cactus in the Valley
Water it infrequently in the warm months and let the soil dry between waterings. Keep it on the dry side in winter. Soggy soil can rot the roots.
Growing lucky cactus in a pot
It grows well in a large patio container. Use a well-drained mix and a pot with a drainage 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.