Crown of Thorns

The Crown of Thorns is a succulent, and doesn’t require frequent watering. Wait until the soil has completely dried before giving it a deep watering again. It’s important to allow the soil to dry completely before watering as wet roots are susceptible to fungus and rot.

The Crown of Thorns requires moderate light. Avoid direct sunlight which can cause leaves to scorch. Try to keep it in an area with bright, indirect sunlight, such as a south-facing window. The plant will also do well in a shady location with a few hours of morning or late afternoon sunlight.

The Crown of Thorns prefers temperatures between 70-90°F (21-32°C) during the day and nighttime temperatures no lower than 60°F (15°C) during the winter months. If your home is on the cool side, it may be a good idea to move the plant to a warmer part of the house.

The Crown of Thorns doesn’t require a lot of humidity. To keep the plant healthy, make sure the air is circulating around the room and avoid placing it in a stuffy corner. During the winter months you can increase the humidity by placing a humidifier near the plant.

The Crown of Thorns does best in a well-draining, sandy soil. A commercial cactus or succulent mix is a good choice, but you can also make your own using 4 parts potting soil, 1 part perlite, 1 part sand and 1 part peat moss.

Fertilize the Crown of Thorns every two to four weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilizing as this can cause an abundance of foliage at the expense of flowers. During the winter months, fertilization is not necessary.

The Crown of Thorns is a fairly hardy houseplant and is usually trouble-free, however it can suffer from a few common pests such as aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, and mites. If you notice any of these pests, treat them with a suitable insecticide. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label to avoid harming your plant. If the infestation is severe, it may be necessary to discard the plant.

The Crown of Thorns is a relatively slow-growing plant, and may not need to be repotted often. Generally, it will need to be repotted every two to three years. When it’s time to repot, choose a pot ½-1 inch larger than the previous pot. To avoid damaging the roots, try to repot the plant in early spring when the plant is not actively growing.

The Crown of Thorns can be pruned to control its shape and size. It will need occasional pruning to keep it from becoming leggy and to encourage the growth of new branches. Pruning should be done in the spring when the new growth appears. Use pruning shears to remove any dead or diseased branches, and any branches with thorns that are in the way. Make sure to wear gloves before pruning as the thorns can be very sharp.

Mulching is usually not necessary with this plant since it is relatively drought-tolerant. Mulching with small stones or gravel can help to retain moisture and keep the soil cool but it is not necessary.

The Crown of Thorns is usually propagated from stem cuttings. Take a cutting that includes a few inches of stem and leaves. Allow the cutting to callous over before planting. Plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix and keep the soil warm and moist until the roots have developed. After the roots have developed, you can move the new plant into a sunny spot and begin regular watering.

Since the Crown of Thorns is a slow-growing plant, it doesn’t require staking or any other kind of support. If you want to train it to grow in a particular shape or direction, you can use a plant tie to gently encourage it to grow where you want it to.

The Crown of Thorns does not require a winter rest period like many other houseplants, however it should be allowed to rest from time to time. During the winter months, reduce the amount of water and reduce the amount of fertilizer until the temperature warms up in the spring.

The sap of the Crown of Thorns can be irritating to the skin and eyes, so it’s best to wear gloves when handling the plant. It is not toxic to pets.