Rescued Tall "Cactus" Is Likely Euphorbia: Pruning & Rooting

Iliad rescued a tall, thin plant with triangular stems and small leaves that appear with watering. It hit the ceiling and bent. He asked about cutting the top and rooting it.

Jeff identified it as a succulent euphorbia, not a cactus. He warned of toxic latex sap. Procedure: cut with clean knife, dip cut end in lukewarm water to stop latex flow, let dry a week in cool shade, then lay on thin layer of cactus/succulent soil with gravel support. Mist only until growth appears in spring, then pot up.

Safety First

• Wear gloves and eye protection.
• Keep sap away from skin and eyes.
• Dip cut in water to coagulate latex.
• Don't water until roots form.