Plant Care Guides / Outdoor & Coastal / Succulents
Exotic (Madagascar) | Easy Care | Succulents
The crown of thorns is a tough, thorny succulent shrub that produces small but vivid flowers (actually colourful bracts, like bougainvillea) almost year-round, in shades of red, pink, salmon, yellow and white.
The Thai hybrids and Black Pearl varieties have larger, showier blooms. The stems are thick, woody and covered in sharp thorns, and the sap is a milky white latex that can irritate skin and eyes, so handle with gloves and keep it where people will not brush against it. Despite these cautions, it is one of the most rewarding succulent shrubs for colour: it flowers continuously in a sunny spot and asks for almost nothing in return. It handles heat, drought, sandy soil and coastal conditions well.
0.5 to 1 m depending on variety. Compact and bushy.
Slow to moderate.
Container, rockery, sunny windowsill, succulent garden, colour accent. Position away from paths and play areas because of the thorns and sap.
Full sun. It needs strong light to flower freely. In too little light, it drops leaves and stops flowering.
Very well-drained. Sandy or gritty soil. It does not need rich conditions and rots in heavy, wet soil.
Low. Let the soil dry out between waterings. In winter, water very sparingly. It copes with extended dry spells.
A light feed two to three times a year with a balanced fertiliser.
Prune to shape in spring if needed. Wear thick gloves to handle the thorns, and wash any sap off your skin.
Ask about availability. WhatsApp us to check what is currently in stock, or visit the nursery and we will help you choose the right plant for your spot.
