Different Types of Cactus Plants India – Complete Guide 2026

India’s cactus market has moved well past the Mammillaria and Moon Cactus that most of us grew up seeing at the local nursery. Specialist growers now stock 200+ species, and even a general online seller will carry 20–30 varieties without much effort. The real problem for buyers isn’t availability. It’s figuring out what plant you’ve actually bought, what it needs to survive an Indian balcony, and which of these varieties genuinely tolerate our conditions.

This piece covers 25+ cactus types commonly sold in India, with identification pointers, care notes, India-specific advice and honest availability ratings. I’ve grown or handled every single variety listed here, in Indian conditions.

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How to Identify Any Cactus – The Framework

Before we get to the variety listings, here’s a framework that works on almost any cactus you’re likely to run into.

Step 1: Confirm it is actually a cactus

All cacti have areoles: small, cushion-like structures on the plant’s surface from which spines, flowers and new growth emerge. No other plant family has them. Spot spines rising out of a small, clearly defined cushion on the surface, and you’ve found an areole. That plant is a cactus.

Common Indian plants often mistaken for cacti:

• Euphorbia tirucalli (Pencil Cactus) — thin green branches, milky white sap when cut, no areoles. Not a cactus.
• Euphorbia milii (Crown of Thorns) — thorny stems, brightly coloured bracts, no areoles. Not a cactus.
• Euphorbia antiquorum — triangular succulent stems that look the part. Not a cactus.
• Aloe vera — spiky leaf margins, nothing more. Not a cactus.

Step 2: Note the body shape

Step 3: Examine the spines

Step 4: Use an identification app

For species-level identification, try PlantNet (free, Android and iOS) and Google Lens. Both work well on the common Indian market cacti. PictureThis (premium) is the most accurate of the lot, though it costs money. Take a clear photo of the whole plant, then a close-up of the spine pattern.

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Globe and Ball Cacti – Most Popular in the Indian Market

1. Mammillaria (Pincushion Cactus)

Identification: Globe to short-cylindrical body, 5–20 cm. Covered in neat spiral rows of small tubercles (nipple-like bumps), each topped with a radial star pattern of spines. The key identifier: tubercles arranged in spirals, not ribs. In spring, a ring of small flowers opens between the tubercles near the crown, usually pink, red, cream or white. After flowering, tiny red seed pods form in that same ring.

Common Indian varieties:

• M. gracilis fragilis — compact clusters, white spines, very popular
• M. elongata (Lady Finger) — slender cylindrical segments clustering together
• M. spinosissima — dense red-tipped spines, quite striking
• M. hahniana (Old Lady Cactus) — covered in long white hair-like spines

India availability: ★★★★★ — the single most widely available cactus in India.

Light requirement: 3–6 hours bright indirect to direct light. Probably the best indoor cactus for a south or east-facing window. Flowers most readily with 4+ hours of direct sun.

Humidity tolerance: Moderate. It handles India’s swinging humidity better than most cacti, one of the safer picks for coastal cities.

Monsoon risk: Medium. Move it under cover during direct rain and cut watering right back. No need to drag it fully indoors though.

Price in India: ₹29–₹149 per plant.

Best for: Beginners, a desk or windowsill display, your first cactus purchase, even a child’s room.

Common confusion: Gets mixed up with Notocactus/Parodia sometimes. The tell is simple: Mammillaria has tubercle spirals, Notocactus has clear vertical ribs.

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2. Gymnocalycium (Chin Cactus)

Identification: Flattened to spherical globe, 8–20 cm diameter. Grey-green to blue-green body. The unmistakable identifier: pronounced “chin” projections below each areole. Each areole sits in a notch with a distinct bulge below it, giving the whole plant a bumpy, segmented look. Spines are few, 3–7 per areole, usually stout and slightly curved. Flowers push up from the crown apex in pink, white or red. They don’t need direct sun to open either.

Common Indian varieties:

• G. mihanovichii — the rootstock of Moon Cactus, also beautiful in its natural green form
• G. denudatum (Spider Cactus) — very few, thin, almost hair-like spines
• G. baldianum — produces deep red flowers readily, very striking

India availability: ★★★★☆ Widely available online. Harder to find at your local nursery.

Light requirement: 2–4 hours indirect light. This is the one commonly available cactus that genuinely copes with indoor light levels too dim for most others. Good news if your Indian apartment has no south-facing window.

Humidity tolerance: High. The most humidity-tolerant true cactus you’ll find in India. Does well indoors in Mumbai, Kochi and Kolkata.

Monsoon risk: Low. Fairly forgiving through the monsoon compared to most cacti. Still, cut watering right back and make sure drainage is sorted.

Price in India: ₹49–₹199

Best for: Low-light Indian rooms, offices, north-facing windows. Also good if you’ve killed cacti before simply from not enough light.

Important note: The green Gymnocalycium (G. mihanovichii) in its natural form is a different thing from Moon Cactus. Moon Cactus is the same species, but a chlorophyll-free mutant grafted onto Hylocereus rootstock. The natural green form grows fine on its own roots; the Moon Cactus mutant can’t survive without its rootstock.

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3. Notocactus / Parodia (Balloon Cactus)

Identification: Small to medium globes, 5–20 cm, with clear vertical ribs (unlike Mammillaria’s tubercle spirals). Spines radiate in attractive patterns from areoles along the rib edges, often golden, reddish or white. Flowers come readily from the crown apex in yellow, orange or red, and they’re often quite large relative to the plant’s size. Even young plants with just moderate light will flower.

Common Indian varieties:

• P. leninghausii (Golden Ball Cactus) — densely covered in golden yellow spines, cylindrical, one of the most attractive small cacti
• P. magnifica — blue-green body with golden spines, globe shape
• P. scopa — white radial spines with red central spines

India availability: ★★★★☆ Good availability online, and increasingly you’ll spot these at specialist nurseries too.

Light requirement: 3–5 hours bright indirect to direct light. A bright south or east window suits it well.

Humidity tolerance: Moderate. Manageable in most Indian cities so long as drainage is good, terracotta pots help.

Monsoon risk: Medium. Cut back watering and move it under cover, away from direct rain.

Price in India: ₹29–₹199

Best for: Easy flowering, attractive spine displays, windowsill collections

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4. Rebutia (Crown Cactus)

Identification: Very small globes, 3–8 cm diameter, sometimes clustering into multiple heads. Short, soft-looking spines cover the whole body densely. Here’s the extraordinary bit: the flowers are wildly out of proportion to the plant, often 3–5 cm wide in vivid orange, red, yellow or pink, and they emerge from the base of the plant, not the crown. A 5 cm Rebutia throwing out a 4 cm flower is genuinely something to see.

Common Indian varieties:

• R. minuscula — classic small red-flowering Rebutia
• R. heliosa — beautiful orange flowers, comb-like white spines
• R. muscula — soft white spines, orange flowers

India availability: ★★★☆☆ Found through specialist online sellers. Rare at general nurseries.

Light requirement: 4–5 hours bright indirect to direct light. Flowers best with a bit of direct sun.

Humidity tolerance: Low to moderate. Prefers drier conditions than Gymnocalycium does.

Monsoon risk: Medium-high. Move under cover and cut watering strictly during the wet months.

Price in India: ₹49–₹249

Best for: Collectors, anyone chasing the best flower-to-plant size ratio around, small space gardening

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5. Ferocactus (Barrel Cactus)

Identification: A large barrel or globe shape, eventually reaching 30–90 cm or more. Deep, prominent ribs with areoles producing large, stout, often hooked or flattened spines, frequently coloured red, golden or grey. The spines do all the talking here: big, architectural, dramatic to look at. Mature outdoor specimens produce yellow or orange flowers as a crown ring in summer.

Common Indian varieties:

• F. wislizeni (Fishhook Barrel) — prominent hooked red central spines
• F. glaucescens — blue-green body, yellow spines, globe shape
• F. cylindraceus — tall cylindrical form, red-and-yellow spines

India availability: ★★★☆☆ — available from specialist online nurseries, less common locally

Light requirement: 5–6 hours direct sun. This is an outdoor or south-facing balcony plant. Don’t expect it to survive a dim corner indoors.

Humidity tolerance: Low, prefers dry conditions. Coastal cities like Mumbai or Chennai make this one harder work.

Monsoon risk: High. Move it under cover without fail, water only after the toothpick test comes out clean, and get the drainage right.

Price in India: ₹99–₹799 depending on size

Best for: Sunny outdoor balconies and gardens, statement plants, collectors

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6. Astrophytum (Star Cactus / Bishop’s Hat)

Identification: Distinctly star-shaped when viewed from above. Three to eight prominent ribs create a geometric, almost designed-looking form. The green body carries white speckles (trichomes) that give it a dusty, silvery look. Some species are completely spineless, A. myriostigma or the Bishop’s Hat being the classic example, while others such as A. ornatum carry stout spines. Mature plants push out yellow flowers with an orange or red centre from the apex.

Common Indian varieties:

• A. myriostigma (Bishop’s Hat) — 4–5 ribs, completely spineless, white speckled body. The most architecturally striking spineless cactus.
• A. asterias (Sea Urchin Cactus) — very flat, disc-shaped, very few soft spines
• A. ornatum — ribbed with long amber spines and heavy speckle pattern

India availability: ★★★☆☆ — specialist online nurseries; increasingly available

Light requirement: 5–6 hours direct sun. Best kept outdoors or on a south-facing balcony.

Humidity tolerance: Low. It wants dry conditions and won’t thank you for a humid bathroom shelf.

Monsoon risk: High. Stick to the strict monsoon protocol.

Price in India: ₹199–₹799

Best for: Collectors, minimalist aesthetics, anyone after a genuinely unusual architectural plant

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Columnar Cacti – Tall and Architectural

7. Cereus (Columnar Cactus)

Identification: Tall, upright columns with 4–10 clear, prominent vertical ribs. Blue-green to grey-green body. Spines cluster at each areole along the ribs, typically 5–10 per areole, ranging from short and stout to long and needle-like depending on the species. It grows slowly but impressively; a well-cared-for indoor Cereus can reach 1–2 metres over the years. Mature outdoor specimens produce large white flowers that open at night.

Common Indian varieties:

• C. peruvianus (Peruvian Apple Cactus) — the most common large columnar cactus in India. Branching habit, blue-green ribs. ₹99–₹999+.
• C. hildmannianus — similar to peruvianus, slightly different rib count
• Myrtillocactus geometrizans — branching blue-green columns with very few spines

India availability: ★★★★☆ — reasonably available from online nurseries

Light requirement: 5–6 hours direct sun for best growth. It’ll tolerate 3–4 hours of indirect light too, growing slower but staying healthy.

Humidity tolerance: Moderate. Handles Indian conditions better than most outdoor cacti.

Monsoon risk: Medium. Move pots under cover; in-ground specimens in well-drained soil survive with a bit of management.

Price in India: ₹99 for small plants, ₹500–₹2,000+ for tall established specimens

Best for: Statement indoor plants, balcony architecture, long-term specimen growing

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8. Opuntia (Prickly Pear / Naagphani)

Identification: You’ll spot this one instantly. Flat, paddle-shaped pads, nothing cylindrical or spherical about it. Each pad carries areoles with two kinds of defence: glochids (tiny, hair-thin barbed tufts) and the larger, obvious spines. Here’s the thing though, it’s the glochids that hurt you, not the spines. They’re barbed, nearly invisible, and they embed in skin without much effort. Getting them out is another matter entirely. Flowers come large, in yellow, orange, red or pink, followed by the edible fruit everyone calls the prickly pear.

Common Indian varieties:

• O. ficus-indica (Indian Fig Pear) — naturalised across India, large padded, edible fruit. The cactus most commonly seen growing wild here.
• O. microdasys (Bunny Ear Cactus) — smaller pads, no conventional spines, just white or yellow glochid tufts making a polka-dot pattern. Sells very well commercially.
• O. humifusa — low-growing, cold-tolerant, good for garden beds.

India availability: ★★★★★ The most widespread cactus in the country, full stop. O. ficus-indica grows wild across dry regions. O. microdasys is sold everywhere commercially.

Light requirement: 5–6+ hours direct sun. Full outdoor sun is ideal. Not one for long-term indoor life.

Humidity tolerance: Moderate to high for a cactus. O. ficus-indica shrugs off monsoon rain in well-drained ground beds.

Monsoon risk: Low for established outdoor plants with good drainage. Container plants, though, should be moved under cover.

Price in India: ₹49–₹299 for O. microdasys. O. ficus-indica is often free if you know someone with a naturalised patch.

Handling warning: Always use thick leather gloves or folded newspaper when handling Opuntia. The glochids are practically invisible and genuinely painful once embedded. To remove them, press adhesive tape firmly onto the skin and pull sharply.

Best for: Outdoor gardens, large balconies, drought-tolerant landscaping.

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Grafted and Novelty Cacti

9. Moon Cactus (Hibotan Cactus)

Identification: A bright, almost gaudy ball, orange, red, yellow, pink or purple, perched on top of a green cactus column (usually Hylocereus or Myrtillocactus rootstock). The coloured top is actually a mutant Gymnocalycium mihanovichii that has no chlorophyll and can’t photosynthesise on its own. It survives purely because it’s grafted onto a rootstock that can.

Look closely and you’ll see the graft as a slightly different-coloured ring where the two plants meet. The coloured top may carry small spines or stay smooth, depending on the cultivar. Small magenta or pink flowers sometimes push out from the coloured ball too.

India availability: ★★★★★ One of the most widely sold novelty cacti in the country.

Light requirement: Indirect light only. Since the coloured top can’t photosynthesise, direct sun only benefits the rootstock. 2–4 hours of indirect light from any window will do.

Humidity tolerance: High. The Hylocereus rootstock is a forest cactus, so it copes with humidity far better than desert types.

Monsoon risk: Low. Fairly monsoon-tolerant compared to your typical desert cactus.

Lifespan consideration: The coloured top doesn’t last forever, usually 2–5 years before the graft union degrades or the rootstock simply outgrows it. When the coloured top dies, the green rootstock carries on and can be regrafted or grown as an ordinary cactus.

Price in India: ₹49–₹149

Best for: Beginners, colourful display, children, low-light corners, gifting.

Common confusion: Moon Cactus turns up under other names too, “Ruby Ball Cactus,” “Hibotan Cactus,” or just by colour, “Red Cactus” or “Orange Cactus.” All the same grafted plant underneath.

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Flowering Cacti

10. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata / bridgesii)

Identification: Nothing like a desert cactus to look at. Flat, segmented, leaf-like stems with scalloped or tooth-like edges and no visible spines. The stems are green, pendulous, hanging downward, and grow to 30–50 cm. Pendant tubular flowers appear in pink, red, white, orange or bicolour from the segment tips in winter. In India, that usually means November through January.

Note on confusion: Schlumbergera truncata (called Thanksgiving Cactus in the US) and S. bridgesii (the true Christmas Cactus) get sold interchangeably here as “Christmas Cactus.” Truncata has pointed, toothed segment edges; bridgesii’s edges are rounder. Care for both is identical, so don’t worry too much about which one you’ve bought.

India availability: ★★★☆☆ Found at specialist online nurseries, and increasingly at the bigger plant shops.

Light requirement: Bright indirect light. This one’s a forest epiphyte, not a desert plant, so it prefers indirect light. Harsh direct sun bleaches it out.

Humidity tolerance: High, one of the most humidity-tolerant cacti you’ll find. A solid pick for Mumbai, Kochi and Chennai.

Monsoon risk: Low. It actually enjoys the extra humidity of monsoon season. Just cut back watering; no need to move it under cover.

Price in India: ₹99–₹399

Best for: Humid coastal cities, winter flowering display, east-facing windows.

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11. Echinopsis (Sea Urchin Cactus / Easter Cactus)

Identification: Round to short-cylindrical globe, 10–40 cm, with prominent ribs bearing areoles with medium-length spines. The defining feature: it produces extraordinarily large flowers for the plant’s size, sometimes 15–20 cm across in white, pink, red, orange or yellow. Flowers are funnel-shaped, often fragrant, and typically last only 24–48 hours before closing. The plant itself is quite plain. That’s what makes the flowering event so dramatic.

Common Indian varieties:

• E. oxygona — one of the most common, reliable large pink or red flowers
• E. eyriesii — large white fragrant flowers, nocturnal
• Echinopsis hybrids — vast range of flower colours, available from specialist sellers

India availability: ★★★☆☆ available online, more common at specialist nurseries

Light requirement: 4–6 hours direct sun. Outdoor or south-facing balcony for best flowering.

Humidity tolerance: Moderate. Manageable in most Indian cities.

Monsoon risk: Medium. Move under cover, standard monsoon protocol.

Price in India: ₹99–₹499

Best for: Spectacular annual flowering display, experienced growers, outdoor collections

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12. Epiphyllum (Orchid Cactus)

Identification: Nothing like your typical desert cactus. Flat, broad, leaf-like stems with scalloped edges, no visible spines except occasionally at the edges. Stems are green and flat, and may reach 40–90 cm, hanging or sprawling. Flowers are enormous, often 15–20 cm across, in white, red, orange, pink or yellow, and they usually open at night or in the early morning.

The crucial India differentiator: Unlike almost every other cactus sold here, Epiphyllum is a forest epiphyte. It evolved growing on trees in humid tropical forests, not in deserts, which makes it oddly well suited to India’s humid coastal cities where most cacti sulk and rot.

India availability: ★★☆☆☆ specialist online nurseries; not that easy to find

Light requirement: Bright indirect light. Direct sun causes bleaching. North or east-facing windows work well. A covered outdoor spot with dappled shade is ideal.

Humidity tolerance: Very high. It actually thrives on the humidity that kills off other cacti. Probably the best cactus choice for Mumbai and Kochi interiors.

Monsoon risk: Very low. It benefits from monsoon humidity. Cut back watering, but no need to move it under cover.

Price in India: ₹149–₹599

Best for: Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Kolkata. Anywhere high humidity makes other cacti a struggle.

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Rare and Collector Cacti in India

13. Turbinicarpus

Identification: Very small globes, 2–7 cm at full maturity. The whole plant is tiny, making it the “nano cactus” of the collector world. Various species carry unusual spines, sometimes flattened, twisted or feathered, more sculptural than functional. Flowers are relatively large for the plant’s size: white, pink or magenta, emerging from that small crown.

India availability: ★★☆☆☆ specialist collectors’ nurseries only

Price in India: ₹299–₹1,500+

Best for: Serious collectors, miniature garden displays

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14. Astrophytum asterias (Sea Urchin Cactus)

Identification: Extremely flat and disc-shaped, more like a patterned stone than a cactus in the usual sense. Very few spines, or none at all. The flat top is divided into 8 sections by white woolly lines, each dotted with white speckles. Yellow flowers with red centres emerge right from the middle of that flat top.

India availability: ★★☆☆☆ specialist sellers only

Price in India: ₹299–₹999

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15. Copiapoa

Identification: Grey-green to dark green globes with a distinctive powdery, chalky bloom coating the body. Dark spines stand out sharply against that pale surface. Native to Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on earth, so growth is very slow.

India availability: ★★☆☆☆ specialist sellers online

Price in India: ₹299–₹1,500

Care note: Needs less water than any other cactus sold in India. Water every 4–6 weeks at most, even in summer. During monsoon, don’t water it at all.

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Cacti Native to or Naturalised in India

All true cacti (Cactaceae) come from the Americas. Still, a handful of species have made themselves at home in India, some for centuries now.

Opuntia ficus-indica (Indian Fig Pear / Naagphani): The most widespread naturalised cactus in India. You’ll find it growing wild across dry peninsular India: the Deccan Plateau, Rajasthan, and pockets of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Villagers have long used it as a hedge plant and for its fruit. It arrived with the British colonial administration sometime in the 17th–18th century.

Cereus jamacaru: A tall columnar cactus originally from Brazil, now naturalised in parts of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Selenicereus grandiflorus (Queen of the Night): Naturalised in parts of southern India. It puts out large, fragrant white flowers that open only at night and shut again by morning. Worth staying up for, if you catch it in bloom.

Note on Euphorbia: Several Indian Euphorbia species look remarkably like cacti: E. antiquorum, E. neriifolia, E. tirucalli. These are succulents from the family Euphorbiaceae, genuinely native to India, but they are not true cacti. Cut one and you’ll see toxic white milky sap (latex), which is the easiest way to tell them apart. True cacti never bleed white sap when cut.

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Quick Identification Reference – All 15+ Types

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Which Cactus Should You Buy First?

For Indian beginners, the right choice comes down to your own balcony or windowsill, not some general rule.

If you have a south or east-facing window: Start with Mammillaria. It flowers readily, copes with indoor light better than most cacti, and stays compact. Available from ₹29. Honestly, it’s about as forgiving as a first cactus gets.

If you have limited or north-facing light: Go for Gymnocalycium. It’s the only commonly available cactus that genuinely tolerates 2–3 hours of indirect light without sulking. Moon Cactus is your only real alternative at this light level.

If you live in a humid coastal city (Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Kolkata): Start with Gymnocalycium or Christmas Cactus, both handle humidity far better than desert cacti do. Moon Cactus works too. Its Hylocereus rootstock is a forest cactus, so it tolerates humidity well.

If you want outdoor display on a sunny balcony: Try Echinopsis or Notocactus. Both throw spectacular flowers given decent outdoor sun, and they cope with Indian climate swings far better than Astrophytum or Ferocactus.

If you’re a collector ready for rare varieties: Astrophytum myriostigma (Bishop’s Hat) makes a good entry point. Look for it at specialist nurseries, priced ₹199–₹799, and genuinely unusual to look at.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common types of cactus plants in India?

Mammillaria (Pincushion Cactus), Moon Cactus (grafted Gymnocalycium), Opuntia (Prickly Pear/Naagphani), Cereus (Columnar Cactus), Notocactus/Parodia, Gymnocalycium (Chin Cactus) and Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) turn up most often in the Indian market. Mammillaria and Moon Cactus sell the fastest, at both specialist growers and the general nursery down the road.

How do I identify what type of cactus I have?

First, confirm it’s actually a cactus. Look for areoles: small cushion-like structures the spines grow out of. No areoles, no cactus. Then check the body shape (globe, paddle, column, flat segments), the spine pattern (star clusters mean Mammillaria, chin-like projections mean Gymnocalycium, flat paddles mean Opuntia) and overall size. If you want the exact species, use the PlantNet app (it’s free) or Google Lens. Photograph the whole plant, then a close-up of the spines.

Which type of cactus is best for home in India?

Indoors: Mammillaria suits a south or east window, Gymnocalycium tolerates almost anything including north-facing rooms, and Moon Cactus is happy with indirect light nearly anywhere. On an outdoor south-facing balcony, try Echinopsis for the flowers, Notocactus because it blooms easily, or Cereus if you want height and drama. In humid coastal cities like Mumbai or Chennai, go with Gymnocalycium, Christmas Cactus or Epiphyllum.

Are there cacti native to India?

No. Every true cactus (family Cactaceae) originates in the Americas. But a few species have naturalised here over the centuries. Opuntia ficus-indica (Naagphani) grows wild right across dry peninsular India, brought in by the British colonial administration. Some Cereus and Selenicereus species have also settled into parts of southern India. Indian Euphorbia species such as E. antiquorum and E. neriifolia look the part but belong to an entirely different family.

Which cactus flowers in India?

Mammillaria flowers in spring, roughly February to May, with rings of small blooms. Notocactus and Parodia flower readily in spring too, in yellow or orange. Echinopsis puts out large, showy flowers through spring and summer. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) blooms November to January, right on schedule. Moon Cactus occasionally flowers from its coloured top. Ferocactus and Cereus will flower, but only on mature outdoor specimens.

What is the rarest cactus available in India?

Turbinicarpus species, Copiapoa, Discocactus and a handful of Astrophytum cultivars count among the rarest you’ll find at specialist Indian nurseries. Haworthia cooperi var. truncata is often the most chased-after rare succulent, though it’s not technically a cactus at all. For genuine rarities, Samarth Cactus Nursery and Succulent Gallery remain the most reliable Indian sources.

How many types of cactus are there?

Globally, the Cactaceae family holds around 1,750 known species across 127 genera. Add natural and cultivated hybrids and commercial variety counts run past 10,000. In India, online specialist nurseries commercially offer somewhere between 100 and 200 distinct cactus types. Your average general nursery, though, stocks just 5 to 20 varieties.

Is the Pencil Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) a true cactus?

No. Euphorbia tirucalli, sold as Pencil Cactus or Firestick Plant, is a succulent Euphorbia from a completely different family (Euphorbiaceae) that has simply evolved to look like a cactus. Convergent evolution, in short. The easiest test: cut it. Euphorbia bleeds white, milky latex sap. True cacti bleed clear sap. That milky sap is toxic too, and causes serious skin and eye irritation, so always wear gloves when handling it.