Crown of Thorns: Growing Methods and Propagation Tips

Crown of Thorns refers to the Euphorbiaceae plant Euphorbia milii (crown of thorns), a very popular potted flower with small blooms, mainly pink in color and a long flowering period. So, how do you grow and propagate crown of thorns?

1. How do you grow crown of thorns?

1. Soil: The best soil for growing crown of thorns is loose, well-draining leaf mold, or you can use 3 parts garden soil + 1 part cinder, or 2 parts peat + 2 parts perlite + 1 part ceramsite. First put a 1-2 cm thick layer of coarse substrate or ceramsite at the bottom of the pot, then sprinkle on a 1-2 cm thick layer of fully decomposed organic fertilizer, then add the soil, and then place the plant.

2. Light: Crown of thorns likes a sunny environment and should be given fairly ample light all year round. In spring and autumn, it can be given direct sunlight; in summer, place it in semi-shade, or shade it by 50%; in winter, place it indoors in a spot with bright light.

3. Temperature: Crown of thorns likes a warm environment. If the winter temperature is kept above 15°C, it will bloom continuously all winter; when the temperature is below 0°C, the plant will die from frost damage. Therefore, in winter it should be kept indoors and the temperature kept above 15°C.

4. Watering: Crown of thorns likes a moist environment, but it should not be watered too much, to avoid root rot; usually it is best to water when the potting soil is slightly dry. In summer, water evaporates quickly, so watering should be increased appropriately, but there must be no water accumulation in the pot; during the high-temperature period in summer, the plant enters a dormant state, so water less, try to schedule watering in the morning or evening when the temperature is lower, and also mist the plant frequently. In winter, also water less, and try to schedule watering at noon on sunny days when the temperature is higher. During the flowering period, watering should also not be excessive, to avoid flower and bud drop, and even root rot.

5. Fertilizing: Crown of thorns does not like strong fertilizer. During the growing season, applying decomposed dilute cake fertilizer water once every 3-4 weeks is enough; during the bud stage, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer 1-2 more times. Apply light fertilizer 2-3 times each spring, and reduce fertilizing in autumn.

6. Pruning: Prune once a year. After the flowering period, cut back overly long and irregularly growing branches. Generally, 2 new branches grow below the cut on the branch, and when the new branches grow to 5-6 cm, they can bloom. If not pruned in time and allowed to grow naturally, the main branches will grow longer and longer, not only producing fewer flowers but also making the plant shape unattractive.

2. How do you propagate crown of thorns?

Crown of thorns is generally propagated by cuttings. Cuttings can be taken throughout the growing season, but May-June is best. Choose sturdy branches about 10 cm to 15 cm long (with 3-4 leaf nodes), wipe the cut dry and coat it with plant ash, leave it in a cool place to dry for 2-3 days, and once the wound is dry, insert it into the substrate. After cutting, water thoroughly, then water again when the substrate is slightly dry; roots will form after about 50-60 days.