Firestick is a horrible plant. My neighbor planted it in a planter outside of my condo and my phone fell into the bush. I had a milky sap on my hand and then intense burning followed by swelling of my hand, arm and sharp pain in my spine and swelling of my joints. A few days later swelling of the back of my head- my brain! This a toxic plant.
We are sorry you had such an incidence and hope you have recovered.
Yes, the sap in a Pencil Cactus does contain toxins.
The article below has information on this and recommendations that you avoid exposure.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/pencil-cactus/care-pencil-cactus.htm
I have a 5 foot tall pencil cactus. I put it outside and was unable to bring it in when temperatures dropped to freezing. It is so severally frostbitten. What to do?
It can take days or even weeks for frost damage to appear.
Keep the plant in a normal indoor environment.
You can prune away the dead or damaged plant material. Use gloves, as the sap can cause irritation and reactions can be serious in some people.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/pencil-cactus/care-pencil-cactus.htm
I received what I think is a pencil cactus for Christmas. It looks like the picture. I think my cat may be eating it. Are these plants toxic to pets enough to make them sick or just cause an allergic reaction?
The pencil cactus is considered irritating and potentially toxic to cats. Here is what ASPCA says about the pencil cactus:
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/pencil-cactus
Hello! I received cuttings of Pencil Cactus almost two years ago expecting for this succulent to grow easily, as I had read that it does grow fast and profusely; however, half of the cuttings never rooted, and the few that did have only sprouted tiny leaves and very little growth of the stems. The new growth has slightly increased since the warmer weather of this season has arrived. I wonder what the problem is and if I can help bolster its growth somehow? I only water it about twice a month and have it sitting in the window in full sun. Any advice for this plant would be much appreciated! Thank you!!
Warm temperatures, full sunshine and a slightly gritty, well draining soil is key to a Pencil Cactus plant.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/pencil-cactus/care-pencil-cactus.htm
I just received 4 cuttings from a plant no roots, how do I transplant and care for the cuttings. Thank you.
This article will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/pencil-cactus/care-pencil-cactus.htm
My outdoor pencil cactus has turned brown after a surprised freeze in South Texas, they are several feet tall. Do I just cut them down almost to the dirt in the pot or what? Never had any dealings with these plants till we moved here. Thanks for any help you can offer.
Cacti are quite sensitive to freeze damage, so the aboveground parts are most likely not going to recover. However, there's always a chance that they could recover or could grow back from the roots. Pruning now could cause more damage if the weather turns cold again, so the best option is to wait and see. If the cacti start growing again in the spring, you will be able to cut out any mushy portions at that point.
If the stems turn mushy all over, though, they are dead and should be cut off at the base in the hopes of saving the roots.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-treat-frozen-plants.htm
I have had my pencil plant for a few years, but this is the first time we’ve had a hard freeze in our area ( New Orleans) in a very long time; my plant was left out during this freeze because I didn’t know it was going to get below freezing so it has turned completely brown from the freeze; my question is does it have a chance to come back to life after the freeze? Thanks Marvin E.
This is unfortunate. These will not tolerate freezing temperatures... You will have to cut away any dead material. PLEASE wear gloves. This is a type of euphorbia, and its sap is toxic. You will have to keep it in a warm location in full to partial sun. If there is still any life in the roots, then it is likely that it will come back.
Unfortunately there is a great possibility to the loss of this plant. With some extra care, you may be able to bring this one back, though.