Euphorbia Ammak 165mm

🌵 Euphorbia ammak

Common Names: Desert Cactus, African Candelabra Tree, Arabian Euphorbia
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Origin: Native to Saudi Arabia and Yemen, often found in hot, dry, rocky habitats

📏 Physical Description

• Growth Habit:
  A large, upright, branching succulent tree that can grow up to 6–10 meters (20–30 feet) tall in the wild, though much smaller in pots.
  Has a classic candelabra shape with multiple vertical arms.

• Stems:
  Thick, four- to five-angled vertical stems, often gray-green or blue-green with yellow variegation (especially in the popular Euphorbia ammak 'Variegata' cultivar).
  Prominent toothed ridges along the stems give it a distinctive ribbed texture.

• Spines:
  Short, paired brown to reddish spines emerge along the ribs, spaced roughly every 1–2 cm. Spines are not as dangerous as cactus spines but still sharp.

• Sap:
  Like all Euphorbias, it contains milky white latex sap that is toxic and irritating to skin and eyes.

🌸 Flowers

• Appearance:
  Produces small, yellow-green cyathia (euphorbia flowers) at the stem tips, often during warmer months.
  Not particularly showy—grown primarily for its form and foliage.

🌱 Care and Cultivation

• Light:
  Requires full sun to very bright light. Outdoors, plant in a sunny, exposed location. Indoors, place in the brightest possible spot—south- or west-facing windows are ideal.

• Watering:
  Water sparingly. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
  Water even less in cooler months. Very drought-tolerant.

• Soil:
  Needs excellent drainage. Use a cactus or succulent mix with added pumice or sand.

• Temperature:
  Thrives in heat. Best in 20–35°C (68–95°F).
  Frost-sensitive—protect from temperatures below 5°C (41°F).

• Humidity:
  Prefers dry air; avoid humid environments.

• Feeding:
  Fertilize sparingly—once in spring and once in summer with a diluted cactus fertilizer.

• Propagation:
  Propagated by stem cuttings, though handling requires care due to the toxic sap. Allow cuttings to callous over for several days before planting.

✅ Quick Care Summary

RequirementDetailsLightFull sun to very bright lightWaterOnly when soil is completely drySoilFast-draining cactus mixTemperature20–35°C preferred; protect from frostHumidityLow; prefers dry airFeedingTwice yearly during active growthPropagationCuttings (with caution—wear gloves)

✅ Perfect For:

• Arid and Mediterranean-style landscapes

• Architectural, sculptural indoor displays

• Succulent collectors or xeriscapes

• Container growing in sunny patios