Origin
The Euphorbia tirucalli originates from semi-arid tropical climates in Africa and India. This plant, also known as the pencil cactus, grows in areas where rainfall is rare. It's a type of succulent and is part of the Euphorbiaceae family, which also includes the well-known poinsettia.

Characteristics
The Euphorbia tirucalli is a shrub or treelike cactus that can grow up to 6 metres high. It is characterised by its bare, green branches that have a pencil-like shape, hence the nickname 'pencil cactus'. This plant rarely blooms, but when flowers do appear, they are small and yellow in colour. Both the main trunk and the side branches contain milky sap.

Care
Maintaining the Euphorbia tirucalli is fairly straightforward and requires little effort. The plant needs sufficient sunlight and thrives well at room temperature. The plant also needs a well-draining soil type to avoid root rot. Although the plant can tolerate some drought, regular moderate watering is essential for healthy growth. However, overwatering should be avoided as this can lead to rot and other diseases.