Crown of Thorns is a resilient succulent known for its thorny stems and long-lasting colorful blooms. Native to Madagascar, this plant thrives in bright light and warm conditions, making it a great choice for sunny indoor spaces. Its drought-tolerant nature means it prefers less frequent watering compared to many houseplants. With the right environment, it can bloom throughout much of the year. Read the full guide to learn how to help your Crown of Thorns grow strong and vibrant.
Our August box featuring Crassula Mesembryanthemoides, Key Lime Pie, Calico Hearts Cotyledon, and Echeveria Blue Atoll.
1. Crassula Mesembryanthemoides
Crassula Mesembryanthemoides comes from South African. Its long, pointed green leaves are covered with soft bristle-like hairs, giving it a fuzzy, frosted appearance. The hairs protect the plant from getting burnt and drying out, hence this succulent can be grown under full sun or partial shade.
It produces very pretty hot pink flower clusters.
Full Sun or Partial Shade.
Mix 15-20% of sand through the soil.
Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch, then let drain completely. Avoid letting water sit for too long in the soil to prevent rot and fungal diseases.
Average summer temperatures from 65ºF/18ºC to 70ºF/21ºC are ideal. In winter, it can survive temperatures as low as 50ºF/10ºC.
Feed with a controlled-release fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.
You can propagate Crassula Mesembryanthemoides by division, offsets or leaf cuttings. The easiest way is to propagate from a single leaf: put the leaf in a succulent or cacti mix, then cover until it sprouts.
2. Key Lime Pie
Adromischus Cristatus, also called Key Lime Pie, is a cute succulent with chubby dark green leaves that have wavy tips like those of clam shells. The leaves are arranged to form a loose rossette. Adromischus Cristatus produces whitish tubular flowers on thin long stalk coming from the rosette center. If underwatered, the plant will shoot out reddish aerial roots along the stem.
Porous soil with extra drainage. Bright Light.
Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch, then let drain completely. Avoid letting water sit for too long in the soil to prevent rot and fungal diseases.
Feed with a controlled-release fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.
3. Calico Hearts Cotyledon
Adromischus trigynus, more commonly known as Calico Hearts, is a small succulent that can grow up to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm). Calico Hearts has alternate convex leaves of about 1.5 inches (3.5 cm), accented with dark purple spots.
It blooms small unflashy flowers in late spring. Most Calico Hearts plants are sold under the name Adromischus maculatus, but this species is different from A. trigynus in leaf shapes and sizes.
Full sun
Porous and well-drained potting mix
Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch, then let drain completely. Reduce watering to a minimum in the winter.
Feed the plant once with a balanced fertilizer diluted to 25% strength during the growing season from May to October.
Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 30°F (-1°C)
Minimum Average Temperature: 50°F (10°C)
4. Echeveria Blue Atoll
Echeveria 'Blue Atoll' is an evergreen succulent forming a very pretty rosette packed with fleshy, blue-green leaves. In spring, it sends up 8 inch tall (20 cm) stems which bear small orange and yellow flowers.
Full sun. Partial sun. Only needs occasional water. A well-drained succulent mix. Feed with a controlled-release fertilizer at the beginning of the season.
Generally non-toxic to humans and animals
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