Crown of Thorns is a flower with thorns on its stems

Crown of Thorns is perhaps the most petite flower of all; it lacks the gaudy allure of other flowers yet still lives quite respectably, and the tiny buds on its branches are delightfully pink and tender. After winter sets in, it remains undefeated by the cold, graceful and elegant, adding no small amount of spring cheer to the home.

Alternative names

Tiger thorn, tiger thorn plum, flower qilin, foreign thorn, foreign thorn tree, foreign thorn plum, qilin thorn.

Growing habits

Crown of Thorns likes warmth, likes light, tolerates drought, dislikes moisture, and fears cold. It is suited to loose, well-drained sandy soil; as long as the environment is suitable, it can bloom all year round, and especially in the Northern Hemisphere, it blooms most abundantly in winter.

Summer and autumn are the growing season for Crown of Thorns, and it can overwinter safely when the winter temperature stays above 3°C. If the winter temperature is lower, it shows a short period of dormancy. It is native to Madagascar, Africa, and is widely cultivated in the tropical and temperate regions of the Old World; it is cultivated in both northern and southern China.

If the temperature is kept above 15°C, along with sufficient sunlight, it can continue to bloom. However, high air humidity will cause the leaves to drop and the plant to enter dormancy.

When Crown of Thorns is blooming, it requires ample nutrients; apply a top dressing once every half month, either organic liquid fertilizer or compound chemical fertilizer.

Flower meaning

Stubborn yet steadfast, gentle yet loyal, fierce yet still refined.