Purple ends on african milk tree

Hi Jacki,

My African milk tree has been growing and doing really well. However, lately I've noticed it is getting purple at the ends, just on the inside (and I think it is feeling a little soft as well, unless maybe it's supposed to...). Any idea what the issue is? I know it is time to repot to a bigger pot, but not sure if that is the issue, or something else. Thank you!

Comments for Purple ends on african milk tree

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 04, 2018
 Soft is not good
by: Jacki

Soft tips in any plant isn't good, and the color changing like that is a bit alarming too.

The cause could be that the plant got a bit too cold at some point, maybe a while ago, and the damage is just showing up now. It's only when the plant is prepping for a growth spurt that this shows.

As the native habitat of these plants is near the equator, where it never gets cold, this could definitely affect the plant like that.

I would do some judicious pruning to get rid of them and prevent any rot from spreading - before it gets to be a problem.

I might wait a bit until the cuts are calloused to repot it, no point in stressing it out too much!

As you may already know, the sap in these plants (Euphorbia trigona) is caustic, so please use caution (and gloves, eye protection, and other safety precautions) when cutting them.
Apr 04, 2018
 another reason?
by: OP

Thanks Jacki. I just took another look at it again, and some are soft while others are not. The softness might also be the new growth that has been happening through the winter (for some reason, maybe b/c of the heating, my cactuses actually grow more in the winter).
If the softness is normal, could there be another reason for the purple ends?
Thanks again.
Apr 05, 2018
 Other reasons
by: Jacki

There is the possibility that the plant needs more phosphorus, lack of it can cause a color change in other plants. I would maybe give it a tiny amount of water soluble fertilizer with balanced nutrients (three numbers the same) or some compost tea. Keep a close eye on it after you do this, and let me know what happens!
Apr 13, 2018
 The Sap
by: OP

Thanks so much, will try the tea.

I did cut off a few of the branch ends, and had cloth gardening gloves on, and glasses. I didn't realize how sticky the sap is and how fast it dries. Some of it actually dried on the scissors. I tried rubbing it off while wearing yellow thick plastic gloves, and then just using paper towel. I didn't want to use a scrub, b/c then the sap would get on it and I'd have to discard it. I am assuming there is some sap on the gloves now as well, even though I washed them with soap. Is this dangerous? Should I discard the gloves? The scissors?

I've done some reading regarding this plant, as well as euphorbia tirucalli. Apparently the sap of the latter can be quite dangerous; is the african milk tree the same, or a bit more forgiving? Which items do I discard? thank you!

p.s. as I was cutting, I also noticed a few open pores and some substance coming out. Not the milky sap, but something transparent, and at one place there was a little bubble coming out. Not sure what's going on with this plant...?
Apr 13, 2018
 Poisonous
by: Jacki

The sap of every member of the Euphorbia genus is poisonous, and it's not worth taking a risk. I would chuck the gloves and anything else porous. The scissors may be okay if you can get the sap off.

I'm not sure what the 'bubbles' are that you refer to. I have never grown these plants - too paranoid! Maybe someone else can chime in if they're familiar with them.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask the Horticulturist.