Overview

Introduce a touch of exotic beauty to your garden or patio with the stunning Red Crown of Thorns live plant. This captivating succulent, scientifically known as Euphorbia milii, is celebrated for its brilliant, long-lasting red flowers that bloom almost continuously throughout the year in ideal conditions. Originating from Madagascar, the Crown of Thorns is a resilient and low-maintenance plant that adds architectural interest with its thorny stems and vibrant blossoms. Our plants are robust, measuring 1 foot and up, ensuring you receive a well-established specimen ready to flourish in its new home. This flowering succulent outdoor plant is perfect for those seeking enduring color and unique texture in their plant collection.

The Red Crown of Thorns live plant is an excellent choice for xeriscaping or for adding a dramatic focal point to containers and garden beds. Its ability to thrive in warm, dry climates makes it a popular option for sunny locations where other plants might struggle. The plant’s distinctive appearance, with its thorny stems resembling a crown, gives it its biblical common name and adds to its intrigue. Despite its thorny exterior, the beauty of its large, colorful flowers is undeniable, making it a beloved plant across various gardening styles.

Key Benefits

The Red Crown of Thorns live plant offers numerous advantages, making it a fantastic addition to any garden or plant collection. Its combination of striking aesthetics and easy care ensures a rewarding growing experience.

• Continuous Blooms: Enjoy a nearly year-round display of bright red flowers, bringing consistent color and cheer to your outdoor spaces, especially in warmer climates. This consistent flowering is a major draw for the Red Crown of Thorns live plant.
• Drought Tolerance: As a succulent, this plant is incredibly forgiving of dry conditions, requiring minimal watering once established. This makes it a perfect choice for water-wise gardening and for those who desire a low-maintenance plant. It’s truly a drought tolerant plant.
• Low Maintenance: Beyond its watering needs, the Crown of Thorns demands little attention, making it ideal for busy gardeners or beginners. It generally resists pests and diseases, simplifying its care routine.
• Versatile Landscaping: Its striking form and vibrant flowers make it suitable for various uses, from rock gardens and xeriscapes to container planting on patios or as a thorny barrier. This flowering succulent outdoor plant adapts well to many settings.
• Unique Appearance: The thorny stems provide a distinctive texture and visual interest, contrasting beautifully with the delicate-looking flowers. This unique characteristic makes it a conversation starter.
• Hardy and Resilient: Known for its toughness, the Crown of Thorns can withstand challenging conditions, ensuring it remains a strong and vibrant part of your garden for years. Understanding Crown of Thorns care is straightforward due to its resilience.
• Attracts Pollinators: While not a primary pollinator magnet, its bright flowers can occasionally attract small beneficial insects to your garden.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Red Crown of Thorns live plant is relatively straightforward, given its resilient nature. To ensure optimal growth and continuous blooming, pay attention to its specific needs regarding sunlight, water, and soil. This flowering succulent outdoor thrives in bright conditions.

Sunlight Requirements: The Red Crown of Thorns live plant absolutely loves sunlight. For the best flowering performance, provide at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It can tolerate partial shade, but flowering may be less prolific. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorching, but generally, full sun is preferred. When growing as a flowering succulent outdoor, choose the sunniest spot in your garden or on your patio.

Watering Schedule: As a succulent, the Crown of Thorns is highly drought-tolerant. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems, leading to root rot. In warmer months, you might water every 1-2 weeks, while in cooler months, watering can be reduced to once a month or even less, especially if the plant enters a dormant phase. Always check the soil moisture before watering. Proper Crown of Thorns care hinges on careful watering.

Soil Type and Drainage: This plant requires a well-draining soil mix to prevent waterlogging. A cactus and succulent potting mix or a blend of regular potting soil with perlite or sand added for improved drainage is ideal. Ensure your pot has drainage holes. Good drainage is crucial for a healthy Euphorbia milii red.

Temperature Range and USDA Hardiness Zone: The Red Crown of Thorns live plant thrives in warm temperatures. It is hardy in USDA Zones 9-11, where it can be grown outdoors year-round. In colder zones, it should be brought indoors or treated as an annual. Protect it from frost, as temperatures below 40°F (4°C) can cause damage. Ideal temperatures are between 65-85°F (18-29°C).

Fertilization: Fertilize sparingly during the active growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Too much fertilizer can lead to lush foliage but fewer flowers. Avoid fertilizing in fall and winter. A healthy feeding schedule is part of good Crown of Thorns care.

Common Problems: Watch out for typical succulent pests like mealybugs or spider mites, though they are generally not frequent issues. Overwatering is the main concern, leading to yellowing leaves and root rot. Ensure good air circulation and proper drainage to prevent fungal issues. This drought tolerant plant is quite resilient once established.

Size & Details

Each Red Crown of Thorns live plant you receive will be a healthy, actively growing specimen, measuring 1ft & Up in height. These plants are shipped in a nursery pot, typically a 4-6 inch container, ensuring they are well-rooted and ready for transplanting into your desired location or a larger decorative pot. The mature size of a Crown of Thorns can vary, often reaching 2-4 feet tall and wide when grown in optimal outdoor conditions, though they can be kept smaller through pruning.

The growth rate of the Red Crown of Thorns live plant is moderate, allowing you to enjoy its development without it quickly outgrowing its space. With proper Crown of Thorns care, you can expect prolific flowering, with its ‘big flowers’ (bracts) providing continuous color. This plant is sold as a single potted specimen, ready to bring immediate beauty to your garden or home. It’s a fantastic choice for a flowering succulent outdoor display.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: This Red Crown of Thorns live plant is currently 1 foot and up. When mature and grown outdoors, it can typically reach 2-4 feet in height and spread, though its size can be managed with pruning.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While it can be grown indoors in a very bright, sunny spot, the Red Crown of Thorns live plant thrives best as a flowering succulent outdoor plant in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder climates, it must be brought indoors during winter.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For abundant flowering, your Crown of Thorns requires at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate some partial shade, especially in extremely hot climates, but full sun is generally preferred.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Crown of Thorns is considered a very easy-care plant, especially for those who tend to forget watering. Its drought tolerant plant nature makes it very forgiving.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your Red Crown of Thorns live plant will arrive as a healthy, potted specimen, carefully packaged to ensure its safe journey. It will be actively growing and ready for planting.
• Q: How often should I water my Crown of Thorns? A: Water thoroughly only when the soil is completely dry to the touch. This typically means every 1-2 weeks in summer and much less frequently in winter. Overwatering is detrimental to this flowering succulent outdoor plant.
• Q: Can I grow this plant in a container? A: Absolutely! The Red Crown of Thorns live plant is an excellent choice for containers, allowing you to move it indoors during colder months if you live outside its hardiness zones. Ensure the container has good drainage.
• Q: What type of soil is best for Crown of Thorns care? A: A well-draining soil mix is essential. A commercial cactus and succulent mix or a blend of potting soil with added perlite or coarse sand will provide the necessary drainage.
• Q: When does the Euphorbia milii red bloom? A: In ideal conditions (ample sunlight and warmth), the Red Crown of Thorns live plant can bloom nearly year-round, offering continuous vibrant red flowers.
• Q: Is the Crown of Thorns plant pet-safe? A: No, the sap of the Crown of Thorns is irritating and can be toxic if ingested. It’s best to keep it away from pets and curious children. Handle with gloves.