I know, I know....MINDBLOWN.
I remember when I first discovered this too, I was like, "wwwhhhhhaaa? This thing (my Euphorbia Trigona) is totally a cacti!" But nope, it sure ain't. It's apart of the Euphorbiaceae family, commonly known as Spurges. The genus makes up of over 2,000 different flowing plants ranging from itty bitty guys to full-blown trees.
A lot of times we mistake a Euphorbia for cacti because it has pricklies but if you take a deeper look, they really have thorns rather than the common cacti needles.
A lot of times we mistake a Euphorbia for cacti because it has pricklies but if you take a deeper look, they really have thorns rather than the common cacti needles. I personally think their thorns make them a little bit more badass but that's just my opinion. Another way to tell if your plant is cacti or a Euphorbia is by the milky substance that Euphorbias produce when they are cut. Cacti do not produce this milky substance, only a Euphorbia does. So, if you have ANY type of cacti looking plant that produces a milky substance when cut or broken, it more than likely belongs to the Euphorbia family.
Be careful though, that milky substance is actually toxic. Not toxic like 'you're ganna die' but toxic like 'It's ganna feel like a bad sunburn' if it gets on your skin. Try to always wear gloves if you're pruning your Euphorbia and if you get the milky sap on your hands, wash them pretty quickly. Some people are more sensitive to it than others and I've heard it's not very pleasant if that's the case.
Euphorbias are pretty easy to take care of. They like lots of bright sunlight - but sometimes too much direct sun will burn them, a normal watering schedule (each Euphorbia is different), a pot and soil that drains well, and they are happy happy happy. They propagate well, just like cacti. If you cut a piece off of your plant and let that cutting dry out and scab over where it was cut, you can stick that cutting in some soil, give it sunlight and a bit of water and it should/will grow roots. Then, you have two awesome Euphorbias! I call that #winning! haha
Raise your hand if you're going to go around checking which of your plant babies is actually a Euphorbia vs a Cacti like I did when I learned this?!! Knowledge is power, my friends! Happy planting!