Crown of Thorns is a good choice for Florida gardeners. Until you find the climate is warm it will bloom. This is the reason this plant performs well in Florida. In this article, I will guide you on how to grow Crown of Thorns in Florida.
Before we go forward, it is good to see some of the pieces of information about this plant:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Plant | Spring or Early Summer |
| Necessary Fertilizer | Balanced, water-soluble in spring and summer periods |
| Watering | Allow soil to dry between waterings |
| Sunlight | 4-6 hours of direct sunlight |
| Soil | Well-draining, cactus mix, or sandy soil |
| Pruning | Prune to maintain shape; wear gloves when handling (milky sap) |
| Special Care if Needed | Protect from frost during cold spells.(Little chance of this) |
| Height | In Florida, you can expect it to be 3 to 5 feet tall |
| Lifespan | It can live up to 15 Years or even more |
| Leaf Venation | Pinnate |
| Flowering Period | Flowering is year-round but most plentiful in wintertime in the Northern Hemisphere. |
Why Choose Crown of Thorns for Your Florida Garden?
If you are a regular reader of my gardening articles, you must know that I have not covered many flowers to grow in Florida. I tested the plant growing myself to witness how the plant performs in Florida. I consider several things before I decide to write. Here I am going to tell you why I chose this plant to grow in my garden:
- Drought Tolerance: Crown of Thorns is exceptionally drought-resistant so less chance of dying due to soil dehydration. This plant has great heat resistance.
- Vibrant Blooms: The blooms are colorful and the bloom stays on the plant for a long time.
- Low Maintenance: If you are a lazy one then it's for you. I forgot about this plant for 6 months after just planting it in my backyard. I have a big backyard and never noticed this plant until it bloomed. That's what I meant by low maintenance.
Getting Started: Planting Crown of Thorns
Friendly Tip: Before you start, make sure to wear gardening gloves as the Crown of Thorns has sharp thorns. Also, do not get your eyes close to it. If you break any of its branches or leaves, a white sap will emit from it. This sap is harmful if it gets into the eyes.
If you visit any Nursery to buy this plant, make sure that you ask the color of the flower.
- Choose the Right Location: Select a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Crown of Thorns do well in full sun, which is abundant in Florida. A lack of sunlight might result in fewer flowers, so keep this plant near a sunny window if you’re growing it indoors.
- Pot or Ground Planting: Decide whether you want to plant it in the ground or in a pot. Containers work well for those who wish to move the plant indoors during colder months.
- Planting Depth: Plant your Crown of Thorns at the same depth as it was in its original pot. Ensure proper spacing to avoid overcrowding.
Caring for Your Crown of Thorns:
Caring for Euphorbia milii in Florida is a breeze, thanks to the favorable climate.
- Watering: Water sparingly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. In Florida's humid environment, less is often more. If you make the soil wet too much, the roots might get rotten. So always stop yourself from overwatering.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during spring and summer to encourage flowering.
- Pruning: Prune your Crown of Thorns to maintain its shape and promote bushier growth. Be cautious of the thorns while doing so.
Winter Care of Crown of Thorns:
While Florida enjoys a relatively mild winter, there are still a few considerations for Crown of Thorns during colder months:
- Protection: If frost is in the forecast, cover your outdoor plants with frost cloth or bring potted ones indoors. No need to worry South Florida and Central Florida people as there is almost no chance of frost here.
- Reduce Watering: Cut back on watering in winter as the plant's growth slows down.
Here is a picture of what I grew in my garden last year:
Crown of Thorns with an excessive amount of shade
Last year, I planted a Crown of Thorn plant just under a Rose Apple plant. As a result, it did not get proper sunlight, and guess what?
The original color of this flower should be deep red. But you can see it could not bloom with proper red color. The color is a little bit faded here due to the shade. So make sure that you give it proper sunlight if you are growing it in a pot. Otherwise, plant it somewhere where it can get proper sunlight.
Propagation:
Crown of Thorns can be easily propagated.
- Cuttings: Take stem cuttings and let them dry for a day or two. Then you can plant them with proper water.
- Seeds: You can also grow Crown of Thorns from seeds, though this method takes longer to yield mature plants.
Now that you're equipped with the knowledge to grow and care for Crown of Thorns in the Sunshine State, go ahead and add this beautiful succulent to your garden. Happy gardening!
Some more information about this plant:
In Florida, there are several species of plants that are commonly referred to as "crown of thorns" due to their thorny appearance or crown-like growth patterns.
The most notable crown of thorns plant in Florida is the Euphorbia milii, also known as the Christ plant or Christ thorn. This plant is a popular ornamental shrub that is often grown for its colorful, bract-like flowers and spiky stems. It is native to Madagascar but is widely cultivated in Florida and other warm climates.
Some pictures of Euphorbia milii that I love
Euphorbia milii, Photo Credit: Tahseen (My cousin)
Some interesting F.A.Q about Euphorbia milii
Can we propagate Crown of Thorns from seeds?
The answer is a big YES. But the only issue is that these seeds can be seen in a very short time. So once you notice those just plant the seeds as early as possible.
Don't worry about the pollination. Butterflies and birds will do that for you.
What colors of Euphorbia Milii are there?
There are red, yellow types, red mixed with white and white are out there. You can say the colors are in a Red, Yellow, White and you can imagine the mixture of those colors.
