How to Grow and Care for Protea Plants

The Protea genus, of the Proteaceae family, includes more than 1,000 species. If you have a warm, dry climate these evergreens can grow low as shrubs or tall as trees depending on the variety. Goblet-shaped flowers bloom in large clusters with fluffy centers surrounded by bright and spiky bracts. Be aware that some flowers, nectar, and seeds are toxic to humans and pets.

Protea Plant Care

Protea thrive in regions with hot and sunny climates where many other types of flowering plants might not survive. Their thick, hard leaves enable them to survive in quite harsh conditions.

• Water protea every few weeks and even more often while they're getting established.
• Plant in well-draining soil and avoid sitting water.
• Harvest the flowers regularly to promote new growth.
• Keep out of extremely high heat and humidity.

Light

Provide plants with good air circulation and full sunlight—the more sun, the more flowers. Full sun helps protea to stay dry and kill harmful fungi such as Phytophthora that can attack roots and leaves that are too saturated.

Soil

If the soil drains well, protea plants will thrive in just about any type of soil, from sandy or rocky, to loamy. The roots can grow almost horizontally, just below the soil surface, making them ideal plants for a rocky part of the garden. Avoid letting water sit on the soil because the roots can become waterlogged, likely causing the plant to die. When planting proteas outdoors, increase drainage by mixing bark and grit into the soil.

Water

While plants are starting to become established, water them regularly. Water established plants just every two to three weeks. After the plant is about a year old, water once a week when the weather is dry and when it sets buds and flowers.

Temperature and Humidity

When planted in the correct climate and hardiness zone noted for the specific variety, proteas can tolerate temperatures as low as 23 degrees Fahrenheit (sometimes lower). They can also tolerate temperatures as hot as 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but can die if exposed too long to temperatures any higher. Avoid planting proteas in particularly humid zones.

Fertilizer

Proteas usually don't need fertilizer. Too much phosphorus can actually kill them. Because the roots are so shallow, take extra care not to disturb them. Apply a layer of leaf or bark mulch away from the trunk. Gently pull any weeds by hand.

Types of Protea Plants

• Leucospermums: Also called pin-cushion proteas because their flowers curve upwards, these can grow as low shrubs in the ground or in a planter arrangement in wide shallow containers. If you live in a more temperate zone such as a cooler mountain region or on the coast, this type of protea may be best for your garden. These are unique among protea plants in that they self-pollinate and produce seeds.
• Serrurias: Another self-pollinator, these proteas include the cultivars 'Blushing Bride', which produces gorgeous creamy flowers, and 'Pretty in Pink', the flowers of which are thought to resemble pink-cheeked bridesmaids. Serruria protea plants thrive in well-draining containers, though they might not last more than one or two seasons.
• 'King Protea' (Protea cynaroides): These plants resemble a crown, and symbolize beauty and resilience. 'King Protea' has yellow and red flowers with pink outer tips. One popular compact variety is protea 'Little Prince', and another beloved type of protea that blooms bountifully is called 'Special Pink Ice'.

Pruning

Bold in color and lush in shape and texture, protea flowers are wonderful for fresh bouquets and for dried arrangements. Harvesting the flowers helps keep the plant neat. Remove spent flower heads along with most of the stem, allowing for new growth. To encourage bushiness, prune young plants in spring and summer. Do not prune unflowered stems; they are next season's blooms.

Propagating Protea

Propagating protea can be successful when the correct method is used. This is best done using cuttings harvested between December and April.

1. Using a sharp knife, cut from the semi-hardened side shoots that are below a forming bud or flower.
2. Take the cutting in the early morning when it is cool
   
3. Remove the lower half of the leaves and dip the end into a growth hormone.
4. Place the cuttings in clear growing bags with holes filled with a mixture of course sand in order to develop roots.
5. Mist with water several times per day until roots begin to form. This may take up to six weeks.
6. Plant in well-drained soil once roots are established.

Potting and Repotting

Proteas do best in medium to large pots that drain well. For potted proteas, mix even parts peat, gravel, and sand. They do well in nutrient-poor soil but a layer of mulch over the surface will help them retain moisture. To get the most out of your protea plant, try to repot once a year.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Proteas are quite resistant to pests. These woody evergreens are neither herbaceous nor annual. Leaves are large, hard, and leathery. When bent, a mature leaf tends to snap rather than fold. Because the leaves have adapted to conserve water, resist drought, and hold carbon and nitrogen, most insect pests tend to avoid them.