SKU: 58797455027
barrel succulent

barrel succulent African Milk Barrel – Euphorbia horrida 6" Pot

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Description

barrel succulent African Milk Barrel – Euphorbia horrida 6" PotIntroducing the African milk barrel, known as the Euphorbia horrida, which is a striking succulent plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is commonly referred to by various names, including the African milk plant, the African milk cactus, the African milk tree cactus, and the toothpick cactus. These names reflect its unique appearance and the milky sap it produces. Native to South Africa, this columnar plant, Euphorbia horrida, offsets the

Introducing the African milk barrel, known as the Euphorbia horrida, which is a striking succulent plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is commonly referred to by various names, including the African milk plant, the African milk cactus, the African milk tree cactus, and the toothpick cactus. These names reflect its unique appearance and the milky sap it produces. 

Native to South Africa, this columnar plant, Euphorbia horrida, offsets the base to form clumps. The plant has cylindrical stems with gray-green to blue-gray hues, flattened ribs, and spine-like features.


The Euphorbia horrida can grow up to 5 feet tall and 6 inches wide. The structures that resemble spines are the dried remains of the stalks of cyathia (inflorescence of the plant).

Its stem may be striped with white and green markings. This species is similar to the unrelated barrel cacti in its growth habits.

Over time, the ribs frequently grow wavy. This Euphorbia succulent has sharp ridges lined with thorns.

The Euphorbia horrida flowers bloom during the spring and summer months. They are typically greenish-yellow in color and are arranged in clusters at the top of the stem.

While the flowers themselves may not be the main attraction, they add a touch of beauty to the overall appearance of the plant. You can propagate the African milk barrel by taking stem cuttings. Simply cut a healthy stem from the plant and allow it to dry for a few days.

After that, plant the cutting in soil that drains properly and keep it damp but not soggy until roots form. Another method is by collecting and planting the seeds produced by mature plants. However, keep in mind that germination can be slow and may require patience. 

When and How to Water Your African Milk Barrel 

When it comes to watering, the African milk barrels have low water needs, so it's best to water them sparingly. During the active growing season (spring and summer), water deeply every 2–3 weeks; in fall and winter dormancy, reduce watering to once a month or less. The top inch of the soil should be completely dry before you water again. 

In the spring and summer, water deeply every two to three weeks during the growing season. In the fall and winter, during the dormant season, reduce watering to once a month or even less, as the plant goes into a rest period. 

Grow your succulents in containers with great drainage holes and suitable soil, and water them deeply between periods of drying out. 

Light Requirements - Where to Place Your Euphorbia horrida 

When growing indoors, the African milk barrel needs bright, direct sunlight to thrive for at least 6-8 hours per day.

Place them near a south-facing window or any spot that receives ample bright sunlight throughout the day. You can use artificial grow lights as a supplement if you don't have access to enough natural light. 

If you're growing African milk barrels outdoors, they need full sun exposure to flourish for at least 6-8 hours a day. Find a spot in your garden or patio that receives direct sunlight for most of the day.

These Euphorbia plants love the intense sunlight and warmth, which helps them maintain their unique shape and color. Just be cautious of extreme heat, especially in hotter climates. If the temperature rises too high, provide some afternoon shade to protect the plant from scorching. 

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

The Euphorbia horrida favors very airy, sandy soil that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and most likely root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally use our specialized succulent potting mix, opens in a new tab that contains 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your succulent to thrive. 

The African milk barrels are not heavy feeders, but they can benefit from a balanced (5-10-5), water-soluble NPK fertilizer once a year in the spring. It's important to note that during the dormant season (fall and winter), African milk barrels do not require fertilizer.

Remember to always follow the instructions on the fertilizer package and avoid over-fertilizing, as it can harm the plant. 

Indoor Growing African Milk Barrel Requirements

When growing indoors, your African milk barrels prefer warm temperatures ranging between 65°F and 85°F during the day. They can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures at night, but it's best to avoid temperatures below 50°F, as it can cause damage to the plant. As for humidity, these plants are accustomed to low humidity levels, so typical indoor humidity is usually sufficient. 

Hardiness Zone & More 

For outdoor cultivation, the African milk barrels are most commonly grown in USDA zones 9 to 11.

These zones generally have mild winters and warm to hot summers, which closely resemble the plant's natural habitat. 

However, if you live in a cooler climate, you can still enjoy growing African milk barrels outdoors during the summer months and bring them indoors during winter to protect them from frost. 

Wildlife  Euphorbia horrida Flowers Attract the Following Friendly Pollinators

Euphorbia horrida flowers are known to attract a variety of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These friendly pollinators help to ensure the continued growth and reproduction of the plant species in their natural habitat.

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

According to the ASPCA, Euphorbia horrida has a milky latex sap that is mildly toxic to humans and pets. If consumed in large amounts, the milky sap can irritate the skin or trigger allergic reactions. If it gets into the eyes, it can cause extreme irritation.

How to Propagate Your Euphorbia horrida

Euphorbia horrida can be propagated through stem cuttings. To do this, cut a healthy stem from the plant and allow it to callous for a few days before planting it in well-draining soil. Keep the cutting in a warm, bright location and water sparingly until roots develop.

Key Takeaways

  1. The African Milk Barrel boasts a striking, cactus-like appearance with deep ribs and bold spines, making it a standout choice for collectors seeking sculptural and dramatic form in drought-tolerant gardens or containers.
  2. Euphorbia horrida naturally produces clusters of offsets (pups) around its base, allowing it to grow into an impressive colony over time and making propagation simple and rewarding.
  3. This succulent stores water efficiently within its thick, ridged stems, giving it excellent drought tolerance and minimal watering needs—ideal for low-maintenance landscapes.
  4. The spines on the African Milk Barrel not only enhance its armored look but also serve a practical purpose, protecting it from herbivores and shading the plant’s surface to reduce moisture loss.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the African milk barrel (Euphorbia horrida) is a fascinating succulent that boasts thick, cylindrical stems covered in sharp thorns. It's a low-maintenance plant that thrives in arid conditions, making it perfect for those who may forget to water their plants regularly.

Just ensure it receives plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil, and you'll have a unique and eye-catching addition to your succulent collection. Be sure to add Euphorbia horrida to your home or garden and enjoy its low-maintenance care, while admiring its impressive display year after year. 

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Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2020
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Maekar's Mark
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★★★★★ 5
Answers a lot of questions
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I enjoyed this story. This fills in a lot of gaps left open from the sequel trilogy, and the artwork was pretty cool. Excellent coloring and layout.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2023
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Gabriel Cruz
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
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Format: Paperback, Format: Paperback
So basically this tells the story of what is going on with Darth Vader after the first Death Star is blown up. He wants to know who it was. Emperor Palpatine is pretty ticked off as it is, and he hasn't said anything but he's already looking to replace Vader in case he fails. Along the way we see still that Vader has some decency still left inside of him, as we meet Doctor Aphra and her droids, and he has a chance to kill her off several times but spares her life for certain reasons. This book collects Star Wars: Darth Vader (2015 Marvel) #1-12, #1 Director's Cut, and Star Wars: Darth Vader (2015 Marvel) Annual #1. The story is written by Kieron Gillen. Art by Salvador Larroca and Leinil Francis Yu
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Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2025
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Ryan of the East Coast
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Source material for Nolan's trilogy is powerful writing and art...
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The Long Halloween is great, but I actually had more fun reading through Dark Victory. It's a crime mystery that consistently had me guessing through to the conclusion about who The Hangman's true identity was. What I really loved most was the evolution of the characters' personalities--from Jim Gordon to Harvey Dent to Bruce (who really is more in his iconic "Batman" persona here)--that began in Batman: Year One to Batman: The Long Halloween and into Batman: Dark Victory. It really does work like a trilogy. It's also notable to include Gotham city's underworld itself as a character of its own. Batman begins (pardon the pun) in Year One with a quest to sort of rid the city of the mafia, which is and has been the main criminal body up until this point. In The Long Halloween, the mafia begins to lose power because of the rise of the Batman's presence. During that time, some of the most insane and dangerous criminals escape Arkham Asylum and begin quietly terrorizing the city anew, spreading like a virus. Slowly, the "freaks"--as the mafia calls them--start to gain more and more power by simply being a more unorganized crime source (as opposed to organized crime). Characters like Pamela Isley, Solomon Grundy, Mr. Freeze, the Penguin, Scarecrow, the Joker, and others, establish and strengthen their grips on Gotham's criminal underworld. It's nice that these villains--these "freaks"--also aren't the main conflict in Dark Victory (or The Long Halloween or Year One, for that matter); they appear when it is effective for them to appear, slowly taking more prominence in the setting of the story as it progresses. The main conflict has to deal with the solving of the mysteries behind The Hangman killings. The Long Halloween and Dark Victory are, primarily, crime mysteries, which is what makes them interesting. What makes them great literature, however, is the creative team that is Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. Loeb's writing is really well-crafted here: the entire arc unfolds at a consistent pace and he balances out dialogue with Batman's internal narration very smoothly. And, as I mentioned previously, personality and narrative arcs of the main characters (Gordon, Batman, and Dent) have fully matured by this point in the trilogy, leaving the supporting characters a chance to evolve and come into their own. Much of these progressions are not just depicted by the writing, however; Tim Sale (who worked previously with Loeb on The Long Halloween) elevates and perfects his artwork in this story. There's not a change in the look of the characters, so you know it's definitely his style, but you sense immediately (especially if reading Dark Victory right after finishing The Long Halloween) the new level of attention paid to composition of the drawings. Shadows and silhouettes, contrasts between setting and characters, everything adds to the mood and atmosphere of the characters and the scenes they're a part of. In terms of the print itself, the paperback is excellent. This and The Long Halloween have really nice paper, which I'll catch myself sometimes randomly sniffing in the middle of a read to enjoy the new paper smell. The ink is really crisp, the colors pop, and the design of the book itself is laid out very clearly. There aren't page numbers or a contents page, but every issue is separated by chapter pages that include gorgeous, high-contrast artwork to help distinguish which issue you're on. Additionally, the print comes with an introduction by David S. Goyer, who co-wrote the Nolan film trilogy. Overall, I can't stress enough how gorgeous this trade paperback is and how excellent and top-tier this story arc is. I really enjoyed it just as much, if not more so, then The Long Halloween. No other Batman story arc has topped my enjoyment of this particular trilogy. Highly recommended in addition to Batman: Year One and Batman: The Long Halloween.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2019
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Kris
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★★★★★ 5
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