Have you ever been interested in learning How to Grow Crown of Thorns?
Do you think it’s too hard?
Or are you unsure of how to start?
Or where to go for the best information?
Well, I have great news!
I have created How to Grow Crown of Thorns Indoors & Outdoors so that you can enjoy this beautiful succulent all year, no matter where you live.
And if you scroll to the bottom you will find 10 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers to help make growing Crown of Thorns that much easier!
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Choose THIS Crown of Thorns Types (Tip #1)
Are you interested in crown of thorns as a houseplant? Or maybe to add color or uniqueness to your yard or garden?
Not only is Crown of Thorns a beautiful succulent to have as an indoor plant or even planted in a garden, but it has many natural uses that you can use it for.
I am recommending 1 specific type of Crown of Thorns Plants when learning how to grow crown of thorns.
I am recommending the traditional crown of thorn plant.
This is the easiest crown of thorns to grow and care for regardless of whether they are in a container or in your garden.
How to Plant Crown of Thorns Indoors (Tip #2)
When learning how to grow crown of thorns indoors you should follow the below basic and simple steps.
Step 1
Fill a small pot (that has a hole on the bottom for draining) about 50% full with well-draining soil. The best type of soil is rich and dry.
Next, add 25% of organic compost to help encourage fast growth and flower blooms.
Step 2
Next, place your crown of thorns into the pot. You will want the root ball (where the roots meet the plant) planted slightly below the top of the pot.
Cover the root ball with your soil and compost mix. Never cover the leaves or needles of your crown of thorns.
Step 3
It is then highly recommended that you cover the dirt with small, white pebbles.
This will help minimize evaporation and will also help retain heat within your pots, which is great if you live in a colder climate.
Step 4
Wait 1 week before you water your Crown of Thorns.
Crown of Thorns do not need to be watered immediately because they keep the water supply in their leaves for long periods of time.
The reason not to water new or damaged crown of thorns roots can cause root rot. This will stunt or destroy your plant.
Step 5
Crown of Thorns prefers at least 8 – 10 hours of sunlight to grow best.
In order to do this you should place it in front of a window that is facing west or south if you live in the northern hemisphere or west or north if you live in the southern hemisphere.
If you do not believe you will get enough sunlight or heat through your window then you will want to purchase a grow light and a heat mat.
If your leaves begin to turn brown they may be getting too much sunlight and you will want to place your plant in the shade towards the evening hours.
Step 7
Most Crown of Thorns Plants do not require fertilizing to grow.
If you do decide to fertilize, it is best to do so in late spring right before the growing season begins.
Step 8
If you notice that your crown of thorns begins growing leaves along with the soil up against the container edges then it is time to transplant your plant.
It is recommended that you move your crown of thorns plant to a container that is twice the size of your current
How to Grow Crown of Thorns in a Garden (Tip #3)
When learning how to grow crown of thorns in a garden you should follow the below basic and simple steps.
Step 1
If you would like to keep your crown of thorns in a garden all year then you need to live in USDA hardiness zones 9 – 11. If you live outside of these zones there is a chance cold weather will kill your succulent.
Also, you should make sure you plant your crown of thorns in a garden that will be kept at temperatures above 25 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.
Raised Garden Beds tend to keep your succulent warmer in the winter than traditional gardens.
- Related: Best Raised Garden Beds
In addition, you should plant your crown of thorns in an area of your garden that will get 8 – 10 hours of direct sunlight.
Step 2
Next, plant your crown of thorns in your garden or in a spot in your yard that has well-draining soil. And it is recommended to mix compost into your soil when planting your succulent.
Dig a hole that is twice the size of your root ball (where the roots meet the plant).
Cover the root ball with your soil and compost mix. Never cover the leaves of your crown of thorns.
Step 3
It is then highly recommended that you cover the dirt with small, white pebbles.
This will help minimize evaporation and will also help retain heat within your pots, which is great if you live in a colder climate.
Step 4
Wait 1 week before you water your Crown of Thorns.
Crown of Thorns does not need to be watered immediately because they keep the water supply in their leaves for long periods of time.
The reason not to water new or damaged crown of thorns roots can cause root rot. This will stunt or destroy your plant.
In the summer you will want to water your crown of thorns once a week. When your plant goes dormant in the winter you will want to water it once a month.
Step 5
Most Crown of Thorns Plants do not require fertilizing to grow.
If you do decide to fertilize, it is best to do so in late spring right before the growing season begins.
7 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
#1. How do I Propagate New Plants from my Adult Crown of Thorns?
Propagating crown of thorns can be easy and quick if you follow simple steps.
Depending on the type of succulent you will be propagating it can be as simple as dividing your crown of thorns or it may take a little more work to remove pups and new growth.
Below, is a great tutorial on how to propagate crown of thorns.
#2. How do I Care for my Crown of Thorns?
In order to have the best success in growing Crown of Thorns, there are several care tips you should take advantage of. These include:
1. Fertilize once a year. You should fertilize your crown of thorns in late spring or early summer before your succulent begins growing again.
2. Remove weeds as they grow in your pots or around your Crown of Thorns. Because Crown of Thorns is planted in loose soil gently pull weeds out in order to minimize the disturbance to your plant.
3. If your Crown of Thorns leaves are low to the ground or look flat then you need to increase the amount of sunlight to it.
4. If your leaves are brown then it may mean your plant is receiving too much sunlight. Move it or transplant it to a less sunny area.
5. If your leaves are thin and curled then you need to water one more time a week than you are doing now.
6. If your leaves turn yellow or if they begin falling apart then you have watered too much and should reduce how often you water by 50%.
#3. How do I Prune my Crown of Thorns plant?
Pruning a Crown of Thorns plant can be easy if you follow the few simple steps below:
1. Use a sterilized kitchen knife or scissors.
2. Carefully cut the dead or diseased flowers. You will want to make the cut where the flower connects to the stem of the succulent.
3. Cut the new pups or growth that is in the soil, but away from the succulent.
4. Remove all old stems or old blossoms where the stems meet the plant.
#4. What Supplies are Needed to Grow Crown of Thorns?
Below, is a list of the proper tools you need to effectively grow crown of thorns:
– Garden Container
– Crown of Thorns Plant
– Well – Draining Soil
– Organic Compost
– Fertilizer
– Watering Can
– Hand Shovel
#5. How do I Get My Crown of Thorns Plant to Flower?
When Crown of Thorns flowers bloom its beautiful. Unfortunately due to the heat, water, and lighting requirements, indoor crown of thorns will not bloom.
For outdoor crown of thorns to bloom you will want to keep your plant in as much sunlight for as long as you can during the spring and summer.
Not only this, but your crown of thorns needs to be kept in temperatures that will not get lower than 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night during the spring and summer.
Make sure you give your crown of thorns plant time to go dormant. This will allow your succulent the best chance to bloom in late winter and early spring.
Finally, make sure your plant is getting enough water. This should be enough to prevent your succulent from drying out, but not enough that the soil is always damp.
#6. What are Common Pests to Crown of Thorns?
Crown of Thorns are susceptible to the usual indoor pests like mealybugs and the outdoor pests like spider mites and aphids.
To prevent common pests from attacking your plant make sure not to overwater it. In addition, you will want to spray it with Sevin insecticide. This will help encourage your plant to stay healthy.
#7. What are Common Diseases to Crown of Thorns?
Crown of Thorns is susceptible to root rot, soft rot, fungal stem rot, and leaf rot.
In order to prevent these diseases, you should not overwater your plant. Also, do not water the leaves of your plant.
