CROWN OF THORNES

 

About Crown of Thorns

Crown of thorns is a pretty succulent plant that can bloom almost year-round, even indoors. The thick, bright green leaves grow along the new stem growth, but watch out for thorns. The true flowers are small and green, surrounded by showy bracts in red, orange, pink, yellow, or white. This slow-growing plant will grow into a shrub reaching 3 to 6 feet tall outdoors. As a houseplant, expect it to reach only about 2 feet in height. 

How to care Crown of Thorns ?

1. 1. Keep your environment temperate. Crown of thorns plants grow best indoors at a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit but can tolerate higher or lower extremes.
2. 2. Provide enough sun. Crown of thorns should get full sun for three to four hours every day. Keep your plants in a sunny window where they can receive enough direct sunlight.
3. 3. Avoid overwatering. Only water your crown of thorns when the top inch of soil has dried, and ensure there isn’t any water collecting near the roots. You can wait until the top three inches of the soil have dried before watering in the winter months.
4. 4. Fertilize. Use a liquid fertilizer every few weeks during fall, spring, and summer. When the plant is more dormant in the winter, you can dilute the fertilizer and use it less often.
5. 5. Monitor for pests or fungal diseases. Crown of thorns plants are susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, and leaf-spotting diseases. You can avoid plant diseases by limiting watering and prevent the emergence of pests by pruning away old or damaged branches that can provide hiding places for destructive insects. Always prune the stem at its origin point to encourage healthy, new growth.