How to Grow and Care for the Finger Plant

The nickname “finger plant” applies to several plants, but it most frequently refers to Euphorbia tirucalli, also known as the Pencil Cactus or Firesticks. While other succulents like Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ fit the description, this guide focuses on Euphorbia tirucalli. This plant is composed of countless slender, pencil-thick stems that branch out to form a dense, shrub-like form.

Finger Plant Care

This plant thrives in bright, direct sunlight, requiring at least six hours daily to maintain its structure and health. For the ‘Firesticks’ variety, intense sun exposure stimulates the production of its vibrant red and orange colors. The plant can survive in bright, indirect light, but its growth may become less compact and the coloring will revert to green.

Well-draining soil is necessary to prevent root rot. Commercial cactus or succulent potting mediums are an excellent choice. You can also create a suitable mixture by amending standard potting soil with inorganic materials like perlite, pumice, or coarse sand to enhance drainage.

Use the ‘soak and dry’ method. Water the plant thoroughly until water escapes the drainage holes, and then allow the soil to dry out completely before the next watering. During the active growing seasons of spring and summer, this means watering once every two to three weeks. In the fall and winter, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering to as little as once a month.

Native to Africa and India, this succulent prefers warm, dry conditions and performs best in temperatures between 60°F and 85°F. It is not frost-tolerant, so if grown outdoors, it must be brought inside when temperatures dip below 50°F. Its tolerance for low humidity makes it well-suited for indoor environments without supplemental misting. During the spring and summer, use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength once a month.

Propagating the Finger Plant

Propagation is best done in spring or summer using stem cuttings. Using a clean blade, select a healthy, mature stem and take a cutting that is at least four to six inches long. Be aware that the stem will exude a milky, irritating sap when cut.

Once the cutting is taken, set it aside in a dry, shaded area for several days to a week. This period allows the cut end to dry and form a callus. This protective layer of tissue prevents the cutting from rotting when it is planted.

After the callus has formed, insert the cutting one to two inches deep into a pot with a well-draining succulent mix. Place the pot where it receives bright, indirect light and water sparingly. Avoid heavy watering until a root system has formed, which can take several weeks. You can check for root growth by gently tugging on the cutting; resistance indicates roots have anchored the new plant.

Toxicity and Safe Handling

Euphorbia tirucalli is toxic. The milky white sap that emerges from any broken part of the plant is poisonous if ingested and is a significant irritant to skin and eyes. For this reason, the plant should be kept away from children and pets.

Direct contact with the sap can lead to skin irritation, redness, and rashes. The reaction is more severe if the sap comes into contact with mucous membranes or eyes, where it can cause significant pain and even temporary blindness.

Always wear protective gear, including waterproof gloves and eye protection, when pruning, repotting, or handling a damaged Finger Plant. If sap gets on your skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water immediately. Should the sap get into your eyes, flush them with water for at least 15 minutes and seek prompt medical attention.

Common Problems and Solutions

Root rot is a common problem caused by overwatering or poor soil drainage. The signs include mushy, discolored stems at the base of the plant and overall wilting or yellowing. To resolve this, allow the soil to dry out completely and adjust your watering schedule. In severe cases, you may need to repot the plant into fresh, dry soil after trimming away any rotted roots.

Shriveled or wrinkled stems are a sign of underwatering. While the Finger Plant is drought-tolerant, it does require water. When the stems look deflated, the plant has used its internal water reserves and needs a thorough watering. The plant should plump back up within a day or two of being watered.

A stretched-out appearance with long, weak sections of growth, known as etiolation, means the plant is not receiving enough light. The solution is to move the plant to a location where it can receive more direct sunlight. For the ‘Firesticks’ variety, a lack of sunlight will also cause its characteristic red and orange colors to fade to green.