How to Pot a Pencil Cactus

Pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) isn't a true cactus, but a close relative in the succulent family. The plant produces narrow, long fleshy stem sections that resemble pencils in shape. Pencil cactus grows as an houseplant when provided with plenty of warmth and sunlight. The plant starts small but can reach 15 feet or taller if grown in a large container. The pencil cactus requires repotting every two to three years; otherwise, the roots become overcrowded and the plant's health begins to decline.

Potting soil
Coarse sand
Peat moss
Bone meal
Gloves
Pot

Instructions

- 1
  Combine equal parts potting soil, coarse sand and fine-milled peat moss. Add 1/2 cup bone meal to every 12 qts. of the soil mix.
- 2
  Fill the new pot 1/3 full with the potting mixture. Use a container one size larger than the pot in which the pencil cactus is currently growing.
- 3
  Don a pair of latex or rubber gloves. Place your hand over the top of the cactus pot so the stems of the pencil cactus emerge between your fingers.
- 4
  Turn the pot upside down. Thump the pot bottom and sides until the pencil cactus slides out into your waiting hand.
- 5
  Set the pencil cactus inside the new pot. Add more soil beneath the root ball, if necessary, so the top of the roots sit 1 inch beneath the rim of the pot.
- 6
  Fill in around the roots with additional soil mix. Water the mixture until moisture just begins to drip from the bottom of the pot.

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