Care of the shrub Protea caffra or Common protea |
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The genus Protea, family Proteaceae, includes about 80 species of shrubs and trees native to eastern and southern Africa. Some species are: Protea caffra, Protea obtusifolia, Protea cynaroides, Protea eximia, Protea aristata, Protea laurifolia, Protea barbigera, Protea cryophila. Common name: Common protea. This species is native to South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbawe. They are shrubs or evergreen trees with an extended and rounded crown that reach 8 meters in height. The leathery leaves are linear-elliptical in shape and are greyish-green or light green. The showy flower heads measure up to 30 cm in diameter and are red or pink in color. They bloom in spring and early summer. These easy-to-grow plants are used in low-maintenance gardens, in Mediterranean coastal gardens, in bushy groups and as isolated specimens. They are also used as cut flowers for floral decorations. Protea caffra needs direct sun exposure and hot climates. They resist frosts down to -5 ºC. They grow in any well-drained soil, even poor, rocky, sandy, or alkaline soils. Water moderately, waiting until the substrate has completely dried. They resist drought well. They do not need fertilizer. Prune wilted inflorescences after flowering to maintain a more compact appearance. They are plants resistant to the usual pests and diseases. They are propagated from seeds (they germinate in 3 weeks) sown in autumn or late summer in a seedbed. New plants take up to 6 years to flower. |
Images of the shrub Protea caffra or Common protea |
 Protea caffra  Protea caffra |