Euphorbia Trigona (African milk tree) Care Tips and Propagation - WITH UPDATES!

The euphorbia trigona is a highly affordable, easy, and beautiful succulent to care for. It has vertical growth habit that can turn into beautiful forms when propagated or pruned. They are very easy to propagate, and their unique shape conveniently serves as a good candidate for grafting. Grafting is when you mount a succulent/cactus onto the stem of an existing plant so it can root into the flesh of the bottom plant! I share the full care tips and propagate this into many many pots, showing you a very rewarding update at the end of the video!
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[@juliafredrickson8915]

I love that you show us the propagation and the updates in the same video! Not everyone does that.

[@onlyplants]

🙈🙈

[@privato9238]

I love that you show the updates in the same video. Normally other people make 2 oder 3 Videos out of it but you take your time and do it in just 1. Thank You for your enthusiasm for plants. Keep going and i wish you all the best and many many more followers!

[@onlyplants]

Hehe thank you. I love how I can keep track of progress in one video 😀

[@melodylamour6123]

Wow, we have not cut ours before. Thanks, I needed this information.

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️ Good luck

[@rachel14733]

You have motivated me to propagate mine! Thank you!!!

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@silvermymothergaveme]

Enjoyed watching this video. Thank you.

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@ArcaneWeasel]

Good video very thorough. Appreciate the growth timeline. Very well done, thanks 🎉

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️❤️

[@aeshakhanam5051]

I’ve literally been binging your videos. I seriously like this channel, straight the point, honest, and the captions make me smile lol. But I seriously can’t get over the fact you show progress ! Omg I love that about you

[@onlyplants]

Thank youuu 😀🥰

[@woof999]

Thank you! I inherited 3 of these plants from a friend dying from cancer and they have been neglected…. Thinking of splitting them into several new plants to share with her friends.

[@onlyplants]

That is a kind thought to turn these into heirloom. I hope there is less pain and suffering for your friend. Virtual hugs

[@umabram]

Whenever I get a new plant I watch your videos. Thank you so much for all the great advice.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️❤️

[@AroidDistrict]

The beginning of that "3 month update" was an amazing sight to see. I think I'll try this with my Euphorbia lactea (Ghost Succulent).

[@onlyplants]

Something tells me that the ghost might be a bit harder but let me know!

[@AroidDistrict]

@@onlyplants You’re right, only major difference is letting it callous for days. I did 1 top cut last year and it root/grew rather quickly.

[@marthamiriam8983]

I had forgotten how much I miss these informational videos💚

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰🥰

[@jayk5227]

love this video. thanks for sharing.

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu ❤️

[@kathybartz4095]

I absolutely love your thorough and greatly detailed videos including showing what they look like after they have recovered from propagation. You are so passionate about your plants the same way I feel. They definitely do. Put big smiles on your face over and over again. I have subscribed to your channel because I very much enjoy your approach to growing. Keep up the good work.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you so much Kathy

[@Ksnamaste]

I have the red and green. I’m definitely going to try this. Thanks for this video

[@onlyplants]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@Plutogirl_art]

I randomly propagated mine yesterday because I just wanted to see if I could. Was feeling a little anxious today like maybe I should have done more research first… watched your video and now I feel relieved! I didn’t mess anything up! 😅

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@littlesniffers]

I got a cutting of an African milk tree a few yrs ago off of a plant that has been passed down for generations for over a hundred yrs...when it looks like it's going to die they would whack off a chunk and start over...I was so excited to get a cutting...it is 5 feet tall now...I just love it!! altho I did have to transplant it this spring which was fun lol !! not....love ur videos!! my only issu is u get me all excited over plants then I go out and buy more!! love u !! keep it up!!🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@onlyplants]

🙈🙈

[@sherryporsch9349]

Love this plant! Have both green an rubra an white ghost. So easy too care for an tolerates lots of neglect. 💚

[@onlyplants]

Oh yeahh I forgot to mention the white ghost one. They used to be so expensife

[@ministerstayfly9213]

Great work

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@mayar.1252]

I'm in love with this plant!! I have the rubra and the green one. They live their best life in my porch in a partial shade and some direct sun and I water them once a week. I have not propagate them yet though but I'm going to try today!

[@onlyplants]

Oooh they propagate so well haha. Ive never had so much success with propagation.

[@miawl9]

I love my trigona so much 🥰 it has grown almost double it’s size and I also tried propagating one of the little „arms“ without looking it up and it worked perfectly! Such a great cactus 😍

[@onlyplants]

❤️

[@ooxyxo]

Would be great to have an update on these, thanks for the video.

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰

[@succulentsjourney3147]

That’s exactly what i was looking for. Awesome video, thank you for showing the updates! ❤

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@no-name1025]

i also have propagated both the red and green trigona a week ago, hope to see some cool results too. i love the one which have a two hands there, super adorable😂

[@onlyplants]

😅😅

[@hyf1212]

I have mine for 6 years now and propagates it so much its now reached 5 feet and has become unruly. I loved how this video had the before and after and ideas of how to sort of design it. I have the red kind and i have to say, it loves bright direct light or it will start to drop leaves. Also, the taller they get the more water they demand. Awesome succulents for beginners.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you

[@nmj3735]

Love this plant...so easy to care and beautiful too.

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@robinmarks5638]

I have one of these that is about 12 years old and it is over 5 foot tall. I never cut it off it just bushed out real nice anyway. Great video I just want to add one thing they do not like to get below 50 degrees centigrade for very long. I have trouble with bugs on my other succulents but never have had any on any of my euphorbia's. I figured it was just because they were poison or they dont like the sap.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you for the share. 😀

[@TheLucille7]

I have the trigona and the white ghost, both are growing well. Beautiful plants

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu. i need to try my hands on the white ghost. They used to be so expensive, hope they are more affordable now

[@deannaguzman8624]

Ah! Love these and my favorite shop just got a variegated one. Can't pass it up now!

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰

[@1cosmocat]

Thx so much for info. Loved the updates. They look great. I'm getting ready to cut one that is 6ft tall

[@onlyplants]

Whoaaa that plant can turn into so many 🥰

[@Allyc1435]

Thank youuuuu for this! I was given a rubra cutting a year ago and its grown over a foot tall already, only a single stem and hasn't shot out any arms yet. Now I know what i need to do for it to branch out!

[@onlyplants]

Yes, some beheading would do the trick 😀

[@MidnightSunConnection]

😍 Love this video thanks! I just adopted a pair of these beautiful plants

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@ahmadpatoni8986]

Indonesia present, I like euphorbia plant, Beautiful And easy to care for, The color can be even more beautiful if there is enought sunlight

[@oldhickory4686]

I love your enthusiasm! Thanks for the information.

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@markdale278]

You got me hooked on these .

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@SantanaDavere-rc6tb]

Yes! This was totally mind bending especially so many many popped out from mother plant the cutting ok you got me very encouraged! I just my red one and wish me luck! I will pay off the nitrogen thank you for teaching me! Whoooi hooo I hope I get the best results like you here in Roseville California

[@gmatt2498]

Sean I'm gonna try me this plant! Really a unique fun type of plant can't wait to get it yours came out really great 👍😀

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu its so satisfying to grow and a reliable companion.

[@bigtomatoplantslover6205]

Beauiful Cactus ^^ Like 245 My friend, have a good day

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@donabellahardeneravlogs790]

Good idea Sir👍

[@venesaloginathin8832]

Yay! I just received a cutting- waiting for it to dry out for 2 days and I’ll pot it! I’m so excited

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@serenitygardenaviary]

Just got the Rubia Euphorbia Trigona 🕺🏾

[@onlyplants]

🙌🏽😛

[@serenitygardenaviary]

@@onlyplants it's small, 3" pot but beautiful 😍 thanks for mentioning it in this video. I didn't know the name. My Euphorbia Trigona green a year my care has quadrupled. 👨🏾‍🌾 great video content from a succulent killer- reformed.

[@graiminy]

That's it. I'm gonna cut my big tree. It's just one long arm that's almost reached my ceiling. Good to see an actual video of how to do it and the potential end result.

[@onlyplants]

Its nice to start over small sometimes 😀

[@franmolina6712]

the updates were amazing, totally catched me unaware. Thank you for that❤

[@onlyplants]

❤️😀

[@sunnydays9144]

One of my first plants, my friend gave me some cuttings years ago :) I planted many stems together in a big pot and they're as tall as a teenager now. I need to trim them down soon to keep their balance 😅 during summer, I keep them outside facing south in direct sun, but I'm in Belgium so the sun is not as hot here

[@onlyplants]

❤️

[@orsolyaszatmari3983]

Thanks your video.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@Tula_Bear]

I just got a red one of these and it’s soooo cool!

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰

[@ozgegirgin]

Thank you very much for this informative video!

[@onlyplants]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@83yashu]

HI! Thanks for providing 6-week and 3-month updates in the same video. Could you please provide the composition of the soil you used and also what to do if I do not have activated charcoal? Do I wash the milk off and plant it?

[@onlyplants]

You can let the plant dry off for one day after cutting, that is standard practice in nurseries. For my general potting media I use coco pest, perlite, burnt rice hull and worm casting. But any fast draining mix would work on these guys. They are quite adaptive

[@psycheready6958]

Such a great video, thank you!

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰

[@FirstLast-yq9wl]

😂 guess what I’m gonna do to my euphorbia? Been binge watching your vids past few months…. Already chopped up my Swiss cheese monster…. Excellent contents as always. Before buying plants, I check their care needs on here first! Thank you 🙏

[@onlyplants]

Thank youuu. And yes its wise to check care before buying. Sometimes cant really keep them happy in our environment

[@kaybee_en]

My Euphorbia trigona 'Rubra' froze in shipping (the one day it went to -15c and it didn't get delivered) so the bottom has rotted away. Thanks to your video I'm going to try to revive the still healthy part with a cutting and see what happens

[@onlyplants]

Whoaaa -15 is quite harsh 😅 hope it recovers well

[@ttans2023]

I'm picking up a euphorbia leuconeura (Madagascar jewel) today!

[@onlyplants]

Yayeee I just googled them and they look pretty!

[@marykehoe8294]

Great video. I just recently cut mine. Hope my cuttings do as well. 💚

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@markdale278]

Good video !

[@onlyplants]

Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@teca2023]

Very very beautiful 😍💓😎

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@TerpyTen]

I have a dark green one with vertical striping. It's almost 6 feet tall. I need to take some cuttings.

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@zeinadacastillo3351]

Thanks for sharing this amazing video how to propagate trigona . I have the green one and the red one I will try to propagate them how you did

[@onlyplants]

They look so nice when branched out hehe

[@jossue9120]

Just got one this year, shure It grows slow 😅 but I LOVE IT

[@onlyplants]

Hehe its actually fast for a cactii succulent. Try giving it more light if you want to see faster growth and fertilize a bit. But they are perfectly fine as slow growing companion too 😀

[@theonghantan862]

Thanks for sharing 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@bookworm05234]

Those little terra cotta pots in the back are so cute. I love this because mine are just single tall stalks so I’m going to try this so they can bush out.

[@onlyplants]

❤️

[@markjolley9321]

Love it. Thank you 🙂

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@gabizaragoza4043]

Hola, saludos desde México!!! Estaba buscando un vídeo precisamente de esta plantita, puesto que creció mucho y tenía pensado propagarla, su vídeo a sido de gran ayuda, solo me gustaría saber que elemento utilizo antes de replanta el esqueje, agradezco su amable atención...

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️❤️ gracias

[@endoneswa]

Love that fern and philodendron in the foreground. They kind of frame you in the middle. I don't know do you intentionally did that but it looks jungley. Anyway, you planned for 8 cuts but ended up with 9. You don't have to explain it. LOL

[@onlyplants]

Lolll I didnt even count the cuttings after. Im really bad at math haha. Also the fern just came trailing down one day, I did not have to adjust it haha

[@mrmiteva]

leafs turn red and pink..it gets really pretty

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰

[@ravensdotter6843]

I've heard that powdered cinnamon heals plant wounds and propagation cuts really well. What do you think?

[@onlyplants]

Yes it does as it has strong antimicrobial property. Some also say it has natural rooting hormone too but that theory needs to be put to the test

[@sharonpollitt1524]

@@onlyplants I have used honey and cinnamon twice to root cuttings from my 6 ft rubber tree and it has worked every time

[@zalehaburude7752]

Lovely Plant....Sean! I have this plant and grow up fast...What do you think if I move this plant to a large pot? Thank you for sharing your great Plants...Sean. All the best...

[@onlyplants]

They dont need a lot of root space so maybe only move it up one pot size

[@zalehaburude7752]

@@onlyplants Will do... Thank you very much...Sean!

[@pokemonfanya]

Euphorbia updateeee

[@DjGottwald]

I have the red version!!!

[@kendravoracek3636]

💚💚

[@sirazammonira2188]

please do a video with green fittunia care & propagation

[@onlyplants]

Oooo I should! I have one thats looking lush

[@frogs..fishmore5669]

Great video .. can i use an arm to propagate a new plant ... instead of cutting the plant ???

[@onlyplants]

Yes you can 😀 make sure the arm is a decent size first

[@johngrove8042]

Great video.Are there certain times of year that are better to do the cuttings?

[@onlyplants]

Always best in spring. But you could always supplement with artificial light if you do it in the summer

[@kthubel]

I have a 6 footer that I need to cut back. It's on a pot and way to hard to move. We live in Michigan and it spends summers outside. Bringing it in for the winter is a pain!

[@kellyduguay3368]

5 minutes in......classic Sean......"I didn't really prepare for this, oh well" 🤣🤣🤣 I tried cutting my 2 "leg" euphorbia ammak when it was about 10 inches tall, all it did was scar over and then recontinue it singular growth, so I tried on the other piece at 24 inches, did the same thing, so 5 years later its 6 feet tall.

[@onlyplants]

Whoaaa thats strange… it should have branched out 🙈

[@usernamem.144]

I have the red one... 😊😊😊

[@onlyplants]

Niceee. I just got the white one too! They are so nice to have around

[@NewbiPai]

Nice

[@tawhidakhan6051]

QUESTION! after putting it to the soil and letting it callous for 2-3days in the soil, how often do we water it? every 3days? or until the soil completely dries out? also do we water until it comes out of the drainage holes? can we put it outdoors in direct light?

[@onlyplants]

Wait for it to dry out completely please

[@Ohkeh640]

Any update on how it grew? How long does it take to grow them out

[@onlyplants]

Its growing really well. It kinda stunted for 2 years because I kept it in that tiny square pot. But when I grounded it 3 months ago… my gosh it exploded in growth to a degree that I am fearful of it lol.

[@melodylamour6123]

Oh question...those little new side shoots (stems) can they be clipped off and praprogated if one wished to?

[@onlyplants]

Yes, they can! 😀

[@mariocerrone8555]

Non è scontato che tutti comprendano l'inglese.. PREGO ANCHE IN ITALIANO.....GRAZIE !

[@carinaheviaromano6462]

❤

[@onlyplants]

❤️

[@scliris]

thank you for the video...is it true that leaves will drop during the dormancy period and grow back again in spring?

[@onlyplants]

I have a feeling the leaf only grow once… especially on the new growth points. They dont seem to appear repeatedly in the lower branch.

[@scliris]

@@onlyplants thank you...your plants are amazing...watching now your home plants tour...hugs

[@dudders___1684]

I’ve always wanted a cactus. I went to my local farmers market and bought one of these, turns out it’s technically not a cactus lol. I didn’t ask and they didn’t tell me, also i have the one that’s more red or purple mines kind of purple and green, figure I’d look up how to take care of one these properly

[@Thijs.S]

I got one of two and half meter and its arouns 20 years old. But now i need to put it in other ground and pot. Because it almost fall down. I hope it surve. I even dont know how to do because of the size. U think it break if i lay it flat down on the floor with help of people? It first was straight but it start to go al different ways now :/ so it need to change

[@Ohkeh640]

Mine has lost all its leaves as it’s been winter but now it’s spring I hope he starts to thrive in summer time like last year How much water should I use? I don’t like over watering

[@onlyplants]

Their leaves are very temporary actually! Dont worry if they shed. The new growth will come with new set of leaves. If in doubt, propagate and start over, especially in spring

[@tcwd3760]

I've read that when doing slicing one cactus to another, one sucks the life from the other and one eventually dies😮

[@onlyplants]

I can see that… although maybe it takes a really long time

[@arianduran1725]

What would be the fastest growing euphorbia acurenses ? Graft a adult euphorbia Acurenses to dragon fruit , dragon fruit take 5 yrs from seedlings to bare fruit.. this would be faster

[@onlyplants]

💯

[@stacylein2448]

I have this Plant cactus and I want to do the cutting. Can I do it any time or there are certain month or time a year that it should be done.

[@onlyplants]

Anytime should be ok as long as you can give it decent light level, including artifical light. Humidity is almost a non-factor for these guys

[@stacylein2448]

@@onlyplants thank you

[@merveaktas34]

Kestiğiniz yere ne sürdünüz? Siyah renkli olan toz? Ve saksı içindeki toprak üstüne ne koydunuz? Teşekkürler🎉

[@onlyplants]

Its activated charcoal 😀

[@merveaktas34]

@@onlyplants Thank you 🌱

[@MGeorgiM]

Hi Shawn. Thank you so much for the great videos. I have Euphorbia trigona, which is constantly bending (reclining). I read it might be from too much water in the pot but that is not the case. I switched from 2x a week to 1x, and the leaves dry. Please advise.

[@onlyplants]

I wonder if it might be nutrient deficiency, or maybe its leaning towards a light source? You can always start over by taking the top cuttings 😀

[@MGeorgiM]

@@onlyplants It is curved, not leaning to the light. I suspect the soil, but it says it is the proper one: Miracle-Gro, Cactus Palm and Citrus Potting Soil.

[@Pawpawtrees]

I just got a white euphoria in. And the roots seem to be at the very bottom and soil seems to be piled around the trunk of it. 2 or 3 inches. Is this how they grow? Or do I need to repote it and put the roots at the top of the pot? And it also seems like it would be very wobbly. And I would need to support it.

[@onlyplants]

I would leave it as it is. You can chop it off if you are worried about balance. Propagate the top, and the original stem should put out multiple vines.

[@8il31]

hello.monetra

[@SolarAB]

"I am a succulent killer." "I do water this everyday lightly." 😅 My Euphorbia Trigona is about 5x the mass of yours. I rarely ever water the soil itself directly anymore. I just "shower" the plant with a spray bottle once/month in the warm months and once/1.5-2 months in the colder ones.

[@onlyplants]

Thankfully this is a forgiving plant 😀 most of my other cactii have turned to mush

[@SolarAB]

@@onlyplants They didn't know what they were getting themselves into 😃

[@stacylein2448]

Does it have to be dipped in that charcoal Or can you just cut it and put it directly into the pot? Or the other option was to cut it and leave them Lay on the counter for a couple days.

[@onlyplants]

Personally what I like is to dip in charcoal and put in dry soil. Wait the next day before watering. But it may not be the best way, its simply what brings me convenience and joy. Leaving it a few days is what most professional growers do, but I havent got the heart to do it

[@stacylein2448]

@@onlyplants ok thanks

[@sandie9379]

Give you a tip stand the cuttings in water for five minutes, the sapp will stop running

[@onlyplants]

Whoaaa thank you

[@mbalu9018]

I was gifted a cutting in soil about 5 months ago but there’s been no new growth at all. In addition to repotting, should i cut the top? It’s about 6 inches

[@onlyplants]

You can cut the top and replant it 😀 it might set back growing time though because propagated plants will take longer

[@TR-zx1lc]

What's the smallest cutting you can take that would have a chance of being successful? 6", a small 1", a single plump leaf? The stems of mine have been getting squishier and I'm not sure why. Watering monthly has been consistent. Same grow lights and sun situation and all. Anyway, just trying to work with what I've got.

[@onlyplants]

I would say 2-3” would be ok for a cutting. Perhaps the media was too water retentive that it was rotting the plant? Once a month seem quite reasonable, I water mine almost daily but in a desert-like potting media that drys in hours

[@TR-zx1lc]

@@onlyplants Thank you very much. I did look at one of the plants today and the stem by the roots had yellowed. Also, the chutes higher up and away on all plants are squishier-- is this rot too, like should those all be pruned or can they regain function?

[@Stader01]

How often should i be watering mine? recently received one from a cousin and i'm afraid to kill it

[@onlyplants]

That depends on your environment and other factors. Give it excellent light and do let the soil dry out completely before watering it until full saturation. Then let it dry out again.

[@dianepicard6198]

Mine was so tall that I decided to cut it and propagate it but it started to rot so I cut of the rotted part and it on my table waiting to be replanted

[@onlyplants]

Sounds sensible. Good luck! 😀

[@anteupjcook]

How does the activated charcoal work?

[@onlyplants]

It is highly anti microbial and anti fungal 💪🏻

[@DjGottwald]

Says he doesn't want the red version because he already has too many plans to care for then cussed up and propagates 10 more pots of plants LOL 🤣🌱

[@onlyplants]

Haha I got rid of those pots soon after