Intermediate
skill rating
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Protea cynaroides (King protea)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1.5m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
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.
Protea cynaroides is: Evergreen
Habit
Spreading
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
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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)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
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
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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
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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
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Indoor unheated (H2) | Tell us... |
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King protea trimming
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