king protea

Also known as: Cape artichoke flower

P. cynaroides is a sparsely branched evergreen shrub with leathery, elliptic leaves and terminal, bowl-shaped flowerheads 15-30cm across, with red to pink or cream bracts

Scientific classification

Species: king protea (Protea cynaroides)
Genus: Protea
Family: Proteaceae

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Toxicity: Conservatory Greenhouse · Shrubs
Plant type: 1-1.5 metres
Height: 1-1.5 metres
Spread: Evergreen
Foliage: Bushy
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

king protea pictures

Distribution of king protea

Distribution map

South Africa

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of king protea

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king protea care guide

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings

Fertilizing

Balanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer

Pruning

Little pruning is needed. Remove diseased, damaged, crowded or crossing shoots and unwanted growth. Timing depends on the plant: generally late winter or early spring; plants prone to bleeding and deciduous magnolias need different timing, and deciduous azaleas and lilacs are pruned after flowering.

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 13-18°C when ripe or in spring, or take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer

Growing

Grow under glass in full light. Water sparingly in winter. Grow outdoors in a frost-free, sheltered border in poor neutral to acid, well drained soil. Die back and general failure to thrive usually indicates that the rooting medium is too rich

More growing and care information →