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The Crown of Thorns Plant: A Complete Guide and Care Tips
If you’re looking for a plant that’s easy to care for, but still offers stunning beauty, the crown of thorns plant may be just what you need.
This article will provide a complete guide on how to care for this unique and beautiful flower.
What is the Crown of Thorns Plant?
The crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii) is a species of flowering plant native to Madagascar.
It gets its name from its long, sharp thorns that protrude from the stem.
The flowers are small and come in shades of red, pink, yellow, and white.
Why Should You Grow a Crown of Thorns Plant?
- Easy to care for: The crown of thorns plant doesn’t require much attention or watering.
- Beautiful flowers: Despite being small in size, the flowers are bright and eye-catching.
- Drought-resistant: This plant can go weeks without water if needed.
Crown of Thorns Plant Care Tips
Sunlight
The crown of thorns needs plenty of sunlight to thrive.
Ideally, it should be placed in an area where it can receive direct sunlight for at least six hours each day.
However, if you live in an area with intense heat or bright sun exposure during midday hours (11am-4pm), it’s best to move your crown-of-thorn plants into partial shade as they can get sunburned easily under such conditions.
Don’t worry about rotating your pot every day because these plants grow well under direct sunshine light.If grown indoors make sure they receive adequate sunshine by placing them near windows facing east or west, depending on the time of day you water them.
Watering
The crown of thorns plant is drought-resistant, which means it can go for weeks without water.
However, if it’s grown in a container indoors or outdoors during hot summer months and under bright sunlight exposure (like 11am-4pm), you may need to water your plant more often.
During winter months decrease watering frequency since soil moisture evaporation rate decreases as the weather gets cooler.
When not sure whether to water them or not simply stick your finger into the soil and see how dry it feels.
If it’s completely dry down to about 1 inch deep then give a thorough watering and let excess drain out through the pot’s drainage hole.
Soil
The crown of thorns likes well-draining soil that doesn’t retain too much moisture.
You can use a cactus potting mix with coarse sand added for proper drainage since sandy soils tend to work best in this case.
Make sure that there’s enough space around its roots so they won’t get crowded by using an appropriate sized pot that will fit comfortably with some extra room left over before transplanting them from smaller ones which tend to become rootbound quickly.
Fertilizer
The Crown of Thorns Plant doesn’t require much fertilizer but keep in mind when growing actively from spring through summer seasons providing monthly feedings of balanced liquid fertilizer mixed at half strength can help encourage healthy growth and blooming later on especially after repotting or transplanting new plants into larger containers.Avoid fertilizing during periods when plants go dormant like winter season because they won’t absorb nutrients anyway until next spring season comes around again.
Pests & Diseases
- Aphids: These small insects can be removed by spraying the plant with a strong stream of water or applying neem oil regularly.
- Spider Mites: They can be treated similarly to aphids but require more frequent applications over several weeks in order to eradicate them completely.
- Fungal diseases: To prevent these, make sure your plant is well-ventilated and avoid overwatering.
You may also consider using a fungicide spray if needed for severe cases.
In Conclusion
The crown of thorns plant is an excellent choice for those who want a beautiful yet low-maintenance addition to their garden or indoor space.
With proper care, it will provide stunning blooms year-round while staying healthy and happy.
Remember to give it plenty of sunlight, water sparingly, use well-draining soil and keep an eye out for pests or fungal diseases that can harm your plants.
Good luck!
