🌸 Flower
ANX-FLOWER-0000038
King Protea
Protea cynaroides
King Protea (Protea cynaroides), a perennial evergreen shrub of the Proteaceae family and the national flower of South Africa, bears the largest flower head of any Protea species.
Log in to request a quotation- Family
- Proteaceae
- Plant type
- Perennial evergreen shrub
- Bloom color
- Creamy white to deep crimson and pale pink
- Bloom season
- Sporadic, largely year-round, with individual flower heads opening gradually over weeks
- Mature height
- 35-200 cm (typically around 100 cm) cm
- Sun requirements
- Full sun
- Fragrance
- Little to no fragrance
- Native region
- Fynbos region of the Western and Eastern Cape, South Africa
Growing
Growing Conditions
- Water requirements
- Moderate water with excellent drainage; tolerant of dry summer conditions once established.
- Climate requirements
- Mediterranean-type climate with dry, hot summers and wet, cold winters; commercially grown in similar Mediterranean climates worldwide.
- Soil types
- Sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil.
- Propagation method
- Seed, semi-hardwood cuttings
Ecology
Pollinators & Toxicity
- Pollinator value
- Pollinated by sugarbirds and sunbirds attracted to its nectar, with bees and beetles also visiting.
- Toxicity
- Not listed by the ASPCA; no well-documented toxicity to humans or pets.
Use
Uses & Economic Importance
- Uses
- Cut flowers, garden and container ornamental, dried flower arrangements
- Economic importance
- A major South African export crop - about 90% of proteas grown in South Africa are exported, an industry once valued at over R380 million a year - and also grown commercially in New Zealand, Australia, and Hawaii.
Trade
Marketplace
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