Good Luck Cactus 'Red' Euphorbia trigona rubra, 4"

Quick Description

This popular exotic houseplant has gorgeous deep green stems with burgundy marbling that gives a home decor a tropical vibe.

Size - 4"

Key Information  & Plant Overview

Other Common Names: African Milk Tree, Friendship Cactus, Good Luck Plant, or Good Luck Cactus, Candelabra Cactus, and Cathedral Cactus.
Binomial Name: Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’
Care Level: Easy
Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Water when the top 1 - 2” of soil becomes dry.
Pet Friendly: No

This popular exotic houseplant has gorgeous deep green stems with burgundy marbling that gives a home decor a tropical vibe. The Red Good Luck Cactus has thick, three-sided stalks with spines along its edges and small wavy leaves attached to cactus-like branches. This plant is excellent in decorative landscapes or containers and is sought-after for its dramatic size. The Good Luck Cactus 'Red' is a perfect choice that adds a pop of colour anywhere you place it.

The Good Luck Cactus 'Red' is native to Central Africa and is known for its rapid and enthusiastic growth, reaching heights of six to eight feet. As part of the Euphorbia family, the Good Luck Cactus 'Red' is succulent and stores water in its stems. This drought-tolerant plant loves bright, indirect sunlight. Preferably a minimum of four hours of sunlight making it excellent for use in sunny areas in the home or office.

PlantX Top Tip: Give this plant a dose of liquid fertilizer in the summer to encourage growth.

How to Care for Good Luck Cactus 'Red'

Light: Prefers bright, indirect light.
Water: Water when the top 1 - 2” of soil becomes dry.
Humidity: Tolerates low humidity below 24%
Temperature: Average from 18°C to 24°C (65°F - 75°F)
Fertilizer: Follow a monthly fertilizing schedule when the plant is actively growing. In most cases, this is in the spring and summer. Use a balanced fertilizer - this means a ratio of NPK that is all the same. Ex: 10-10-10.
Soil: Use well-draining, succulent and cactus soil.
Propagation: Stem cuttings
Repotting: Re-potting can be done every 18-24 months. Choose a pot that is 2” larger in diameter than the original pot. Keep in mind that Cacti are slow-growing and may not need to be repotted as often.
Cleaning Tip: Gently blow on the Cacti to remove any debris from the plant itself
Toxicity: Toxic. Please keep plants away from pets and children.

Good Luck Cactus 'Red' - Common Problems

Stem rot: The Good Luck plant is drought-tolerant and prefers the soil to be dry. Use potting soil that drains quickly and water only when the top few inches are dry, and this will help prevent problems like stem rot.

Top-heavy: The Euphorbia trigona has a shallow root system, which will easily uproot if the top becomes heavy. Pruning and cutting at the base of your plant will help.

Pest Problem: Euphorbia trigona is a very pest-resistant plant. When not in ideal situations, such as high humidity, they may become vulnerable to pests such as mealybugs and spider mites.

Signs of Overwatering: Stems will become black and mushy.

Common Pests: Mealybugs and spider mites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the white sap coming from the stem toxic? 

Yes, always keep this plant out of the reach of children and pets. The white sap can cause skin and eye irritation on contact and severe gastric distress if ingested. When handling the euphorbia trigona, keep your eyes and skin well-protected.

When will my plant bloom? 

Euphorbia trigona blooms in spring and summer, and it is rare for these succulents to bloom. Often a Euphorbia trigona will need to reach an advanced age (20 to 60 years old) before seeing any flowers.

How to propagate a Good Luck cactus? 

Start by using sharp, sterilized garden pruners and cut at the stem base. Rinse off the white sap from the cut, leave the cutting in an area that has good airflow for it to dry out. The cutting will form a scab in about 3 to 7 days and can be placed upright in a well-draining potting mix. In about two months, the cutting will establish roots and begin to grow.