Looking for something easy, low maintenance and HOA friendly?. Try planting a firestick cactus. This plant will not only take full sun and minimal winter protection, you don't even need to water that much even here in the desert!!. It will fit anywhere in your yard, can be kept as a bush or pruned as a tree. Its name (fire stick) comes from the colors the plant displays especially during cooler weather. The stems will turn orange, red and yellow.
 
Fire Stick ( Euphorbia Tirucalli  ) Growing Tips:
 
Best time to plant: Anytime except during winter.
 
Sun: Full sun. First summer in ground it may sun burn slightly. This is normal and goes away once plant is rooted in ground. It can be grown in the shade or indoors but will not be as colorful.
 
Winter: Will tolerate light frost and cold hardy to low 20F's. Frost protect when hard frost is expected.
 
Root system: Shallow roots
 
Growth structure: It will grow as a bush naturally. It can be pruned as a tree. Max height is between 8-12ft.
 
Watering: Treat this plant like you would any other cactus or succulent. Water only when dry. Do not keep wet as it will rot easy especially during winter.
 
Fertilization: In containers, any slow release fertilizer will work. In ground, compost and mulch is all you will ever need. No special fertilizers needed. 
 
 
 
 
Especial Handling: Sap of this plant is toxic. Do not eat it or get it on your skin :) .
 
 
Container Grown: It does ok in a container. But just like any other plant, it will eventually grow so you can either keep upppotting or root prune.
 
Personal Growing Tip: Pencil stick cactus is relatively easy to grow. Container plants tend to sun burn easier than those rooted in ground. They tend to stay mainly green if kept too shaded. Also, they're most colorful during cooler weather. Just remember to water only when dry as this plant retains water like any other cactus.