The Firestick cactus looks like it’s ablaze, with pencil-like green stems topped with a bright array of fiery colors. A succulent native to South Africa, it provides a distinct silhouette to your plant decor.
In addition to its striking stems, this plant also features tiny green leaves that emerge at the tips of its stems. These leaves, though small, play a crucial role in photosynthesis, helping the plant thrive.
The stems can turn coral, pink, red, or yellow, depending on how much light your plant receives. The basic rule of thumb is that the more sun this plant gets, the hotter its stems seem to “burn.”
Be careful of these stems, however. If you are pruning your plant, you should wear gloves as the white sap that emerges when the stems are cut or break is caustic.
Caring for Your Firestick Cactus
- Light: Like most succulents, the firestick cactus likes bright, direct sunlight. It will not do well in low light situations.
- Water: It is very low maintenance and only needs to be watered every 2-3 weeks. In winter you only need to water once every 6-8 weeks.
- Soil: Use a soil for succulents that is well-draining.