Plants That Look Like Pencil Cactus

If you’re a fan of the sculptural, vertical look of a pencil cactus but want something a little different, you’re in the right place. Many plants that look like pencil cactus offer that same striking silhouette with unique twists. These succulents share a similar aesthetic, often thriving in similar dry conditions, making them perfect for creating a cohesive desert-themed display in your home or garden.

Finding the right look-alike depends on what you love most about the classic pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli). Is it the thin, pencil-like stems? The minimal care requirements? Or perhaps its dramatic, almost architectural form? We’ll look at several options, from close relatives to distant cousins that have evolved similar shapes. You’ll learn how to identify, care for, and propagate these fascinating plants.

This guide will help you choose the perfect stand-in or companion plant. We’ll cover everything from growth habits to safety tips, as many of these plants have sap that can be irritating. Let’s get started.

This list includes succulents and cacti that mimic the pencil cactus’s distinctive form. They range from green to brightly colored, and some even flower. Here are the top contenders for your collection.

1. Firestick Plant (Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Rosea’)

This is actually a colorful cultivar of the pencil cactus itself. It has all the same structural features but adds a spectacular color show. The green stems turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and pink when stressed by bright light and cooler temperatures.

Key Similarity: Identical growth pattern and stem shape.
Difference: Dramatic seasonal color changes.
Care: Identical to the standard pencil cactus. Needs full sun for best color.
Note: Its sap is just as caustic, so handle with the same care.

2. African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona)

While it grows more like a tall, branching column, the young stems and ridges have a similar green, pencil-thick appearance. It’s a fast-growing Euphorbia that can add height quickly to your arrangement.

Key Similarity: Green, succulent stems and milky, irritating sap.
Difference: Grows in a more upright, candelabra shape with persistent leaves on the ridges.
Care: Loves bright light and infrequent watering. Can become very large.

3. Blue Chalk Sticks (Senecio serpens)

This ground-cover succulent offers a fantastic contrast. Its leaves are thick, rounded, and a stunning powdery blue, but they grow on thin, interwoven stems that can resemble a sprawling, blue version of a pencil cactus patch.

Key Similarity: Thin, sprawling stems that root as they grow.
Difference: Fleshy, blue leaves and a low-growing habit.
Care: Prefers full sun to partial shade. Excellent for rock gardens or spilling over pots.

4. Pencil Milkbush (Euphorbia mauritanica)

Often confused with the true pencil cactus, this species has slightly thinner, more flexible stems. It forms a dense, rounded shrub covered in a mass of thin, green branches, creating a fluffy-looking effect.

Key Similarity: A dense mass of thin, cylindrical green stems.
Difference: Softer, more flexible stems and a shrubby growth form.
Care: Extremely drought-tolerant. Prefers hot, dry conditions.

5. Old Man’s Bones (Austrocylindropuntia vestita)

This is a true cactus, not a Euphorbia. Its main stems are cylindrical and can appear similar from a distance. The key feature is the dense, white hairy covering and the small, persistent leaves, which give it a unique texture.

Key Similarity: Cylindrical, upright stem segments.
Difference: Covered in white hairs (spines) and has tiny leaves.
Care: Requires excellent drainage and plenty of sun. Water sparingly.

6. Rhipsalis Species (Like Rhipsalis baccifera)

Many jungle cacti in the Rhipsalis genus have long, thin, pendulous stems that can look like a trailing pencil cactus. They are epiphytes, meaning they grow on trees in nature, and they prefer shadier, more humid conditions than desert dwellers.

Key Similarity: Long, pencil-thin, branching stems.
Difference: Trailing or pendulous growth habit; prefers indirect light.
Care: Water more frequently than desert succulents but ensure good drainage. Perfect for hanging baskets.

How to Choose the Right Look-Alike for You

Consider these three factors before you buy:

Light: Do you have a bright, sunny spot or a shadier area? Most true Euphorbias need full sun, while Rhipsalis prefers indirect light.
Space: How large do you want the plant to get? An African Milk Tree can hit the ceiling, while Blue Chalk Sticks stays low.
Safety: If you have pets or small children, the caustic sap of Euphorbias is a major concern. You might prefer a non-toxic Rhipsalis or a true cactus instead.

Caring for Your Pencil Cactus Look-Alikes

Most of these plants share core care requirements centered around avoiding overwatering. Here’s a simple, effective care routine.

Light Requirements: Sun Worshipers

The desert-dwelling species need as much direct sunlight as you can provide. A south-facing window is ideal indoors. Without enough light, they will become etiolated—stretching out weakly and losing their compact form.

Full Sun Lovers: All Euphorbias (Pencil Cactus, Firestick, African Milk Tree, Pencil Milkbush), Old Man’s Bones.
Bright Indirect Light: Rhipsalis species, some Senecio.
Pro Tip: Acclimate your plant slowly to direct outdoor sun in summer to prevent sunburn.

Watering: The “Soak and Dry” Method

This is the golden rule. Overwatering is the fastest way to kill these plants.

Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If it feels completely dry, it’s time to water.
Water thoroughly until water runs freely out the drainage hole. This ensures the entire root ball gets moisture.
Empty the saucer underneath. Never let the pot sit in standing water.
Wait until the soil is completely dry again before repeating. This could be every 2-3 weeks in summer and every month or longer in winter.

Soil and Potting: Drainage is Everything

Use a specialized cactus and succulent potting mix. You can make your own by mixing:

50% regular potting soil
50% perlite or pumice
A handful of coarse sand (optional)

Always choose a pot with a drainage hole. Terracotta pots are excellent because they breathe, helping soil dry out faster.

Fertilizing: Less is More

Feed your plants during their active growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. Do this once a month at most. Do not fertilize in fall and winter when growth slows.

Temperature and Humidity

These plants prefer warm, dry conditions. They are not frost-tolerant. Keep them above 50°F (10°C). Average household humidity is fine. They don’t need misting; in fact, high humidity can promote rot.

Propagation: Growing Your Collection

One of the joys of these plants is how easy they are to propagate from cuttings. Here’s a safe step-by-step guide, especially important for sap-bearing plants.

Safety First: Handling Sap

The milky sap (latex) in Euphorbias can cause severe skin and eye irritation. Always wear gloves and eye protection. Work on a protected surface.

Step-by-Step Propagation Guide

Gather Supplies: Sharp, clean knife or shears, gloves, paper towels, rooting hormone (optional), small pot with dry succulent mix.
Take a Cutting: Choose a healthy stem and cut a segment 4-6 inches long. Make a clean cut.
Blot the Sap: Immediately use a paper towel to gently blot the cut end on the mother plant and the cutting. This stops the sap flow.
Callus Over: Lay the cutting in a dry, shady spot for 5-7 days. A callus (a dry, scab-like layer) must form over the cut. This prevents rot when planting.
Plant: Once callused, place the cutting about an inch deep into the dry potting mix. Do not water yet.
Wait to Water: Place the pot in bright, indirect light. Wait another week, then water lightly. Only water again when the soil is completely dry. Roots should form in a few weeks.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even tough plants have issues. Here’s how to diagnose and fix common problems.

Yellowing or Mushy Stems

This is almost always a sign of overwatering. The stems are rotting.

Solution: Stop watering immediately. If the damage is localized, cut away all soft, mushy parts with a sterile tool, let the plant dry out thoroughly, and repot in fresh, dry mix. If the base is rotted, try to save healthy stem tips as cuttings.

Stems Becoming Thin and Stretched

This is called etiolation. The plant is not getting enough light and is stretching to find it.

Solution: Gradually move the plant to a brighter location. You can prune back the stretched growth to encourage bushier, compact new growth under better light.

Brown, Dry Patches on Stems

This is likely sunburn, caused by moving a plant into direct sun too quickly.

Solution: Move the plant to a spot with indirect light for a while. The scars are permanent, but new growth will be healthy if acclimated properly. Always introduce more sun gradually over 1-2 weeks.

Pests: Mealybugs and Scale

These sap-sucking insects can appear as white cottony masses (mealybugs) or small brown bumps (scale).

Solution: Isolate the affected plant. Dab individual pests with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, use an insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, ensuring you cover the nooks between stems.

Design Ideas for Your Home and Garden

These architectural plants are perfect for modern, minimalist, or desert landscapes. Here’s how to show them off.

Indoor Displays

Solo Statement: A large Firestick Plant or African Milk Tree in a simple, neutral pot makes a dramatic focal point in a bright living room.
Textural Grouping: Combine a pencil cactus look-alike with other succulents of different shapes—like a round Echeveria or a spiky Aloe—in a shallow, wide bowl.
High Contrast: Place a bright green or blue succulent against a dark-colored wall for a stunning pop.

Outdoor Landscaping

Xeriscape Beds: Use drought-tolerant look-alikes like Pencil Milkbush or Blue Chalk Sticks in rock gardens. They provide year-round structure with little water.
Container Gardens: Mix trailing Rhipsalis with upright Euphorbias in a large container for dynamic height and movement.
Poolside Planting: Their sculptural forms and low water needs make them ideal for hot, dry areas around patios and pools.

FAQ Section

Are plants similar to pencil cactus safe for pets?

No, most are not. Plants in the Euphorbia genus (like Pencil Cactus, Firestick, African Milk Tree) have a toxic, irritating sap that can cause serious issues if ingested or if it contacts skin. Always keep them out of reach of pets and children. Consider pet-safe alternatives like Rhipsalis or some true cacti.

What’s the main difference between a pencil cactus and a cactus?

Pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) is not a true cactus. It is a succulent spurge. The key difference is the presence of a milky, latex sap and tiny, ephemeral leaves. True cacti have areoles (small, cushion-like bumps) from which spines, hairs, or flowers grow, and they rarely have a milky sap.

How fast do these types of succulents grow?

Growth rates vary. Many Euphorbias, like the African Milk Tree, can grow quite quickly (several inches to a foot per year) in ideal conditions. Others, like Old Man’s Bones, are slower. Growth is fastest with ample light and during the warm growing season.

Can I grow a pencil cactus look alike in low light?

It’s not recommended for the desert species. They will become leggy and weak. For lower light areas, choose a Rhipsalis or a Snake Plant (Sansevieria), which has a different form but similar architectural feel and tolerance for neglect.

Why is my firestick plant not turning red?

The red/orange colors are a stress response to bright light and cool temperatures. If your plant is mostly green, it’s likely too comfortable! Ensure it gets several hours of direct sun daily. The colors often intensify in the cooler, sunny days of fall and winter.

How often should I repot my succulent?

Repot every 2-3 years, or when you see roots growing out of the drainage hole. The best time is at the start of the active growing season (spring). Use a pot only one size larger, as too much soil holds excess moisture.

Adding plants that look like pencil cactus to your space is a fantastic way to enjoy that iconic form with new colors, textures, and growth habits. With their simple care needs and striking appearance, they reward you with year-round interest. Remember the core principles: plenty of light, careful watering, and safe handling for those with sap, and you’ll have a thriving, sculptural collection for years to come. Whether you choose the fiery hues of a Firestick or the trailing elegance of a Rhipsalis, each plant brings its own unique character to your garden.