Protea cynaroides (King protea)

Botanical name

Protea cynaroides

Other names

King protea, Cape artichoke flower

Genus

Protea Protea

Species

P. cynaroides - P. cynaroides is an open, evergreen shrub with leathery leaves and bowl-shaped flowerheads with red to pink or cream petal-like bracts.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Spreading

Colour

Flower

Cream, Red, Pink in Spring; Red, Pink, Cream in Summer

Foliage

Green in All seasons

How to care

Watch out for

Diseases

Vulnerable to chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.

General care

Pruning

If grown indoors, may need to pruning back to restrict size.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Protea cynaroides (King protea) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Indoor, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical

Cultivation

Grow inside in full light, and water sparingly in winter. Or grow outdoors but only in a frost-free, sheltered border in poor neutral to acid, well drained soil. If the soil is too rich, can suffer from die back and may fail to thrive.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Indoor unheated (H2)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Protea cynaroides (King protea)

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/