Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

king protea flower

The king protea flower (Protea cynaroides) is a true showstopper in any garden, prized for its enormous, crown-like blooms and striking foliage. Native to South Africa but thriving in many parts of New Zealand, the king protea has become a favourite for gardeners who want dramatic, architectural colour and long-lasting interest. Its unmistakable flower heads, with creamy white to blush pink bracts surrounding a fuzzy centre, look almost too perfect to be real and make incredible cut flowers. With its robust, drought-tolerant nature, the king protea is ideal for low-maintenance borders, bold feature planting, and contemporary landscaping.

Protea cynaroides (King Protea)

5 from 1 customers

King Protea, Giant Protea

Protea cynaroides, commonly known as the King Protea or Giant Protea, features flowers with deep crimson bracts and a cream-coloured centre from autumn through until spring. It grows as a woody shrub, reaching approximately 1.2 m in height and 1.5 m in width. Protea cynaroides is a versatile plant that is often included in mixed plantings, added to coastal plantings, planted around pool areas, or grown anywhere the beauty of its large flowers can be enjoyed.

A Protea cynaroides (King Protea) flower.
  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Shrubs
  • Height:
    1.20 m
  • Spread:
    1.50 m
  • Flowering time:
    Spring, Autumn, Winter
  • Tolerances:
    Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
  • Garden uses:
    Containers, Living areas, Pool areas
  • Garden styles:
    Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock
protea-tsitsikamma--1
Most Popular

Protea 'Tsitsikamma'

Protea 'Tsitsikamma' is a striking evergreen shrub that produces bold flower heads in soft pink to red tones with a silvery sheen. This eye catching...

From$43.13
Protea 'Spotted Mink' shrub with olive green foliage and large and showy flowers.
Most Popular

Protea 'Spotted Mink'

Protea 'Spotted Mink' is an exotic flowering shrub admired for its stunning pink and burgundy blooms highlighted with unique spotted markings. Well...

From$49.88
protea-limelight-
Most Popular

Protea 'Limelight'

Protea 'Limelight' is a striking evergreen shrub that produces large, lime green flower heads with a soft glow that stands out in the garden. This...

Protea obtusifolia flower.
Most Popular

Protea obtusifolia (Sugarbush Protea)

Protea obtusifolia is a hardy evergreen shrub valued for its attractive foliage and striking flower heads that appear in warm seasons. This resilient...

Protea 'Pink Ice' large pink flower and olive green foliage.
Most Popular

Protea 'Pink Ice'

Protea 'Pink Ice' produces large, pink-tinged flower heads from autumn through spring. It grows as a woody shrub to about 2 m tall and the same wide...

pseudopanax-lessonii-gold-finger-
Most Popular

Pseudopanax Gold Finger

Pseudopanax Gold Finger features leathery and narrow leaves which emerge bright yellow and slowly age to dark green. It typically grows to 2 m tall...

From$299.92
Hydrangea 'Madame Plumecoq' shrub with pink flowers.
Most Popular

Hydrangea 'Madame Plumecoq'

Hydrangea 'Madame Plumecoq' is a stunning deciduous shrub admired for its large rounded flower heads and lush green foliage. Flowering abundantly...

From$29.63
Corokia 'Emerald and Jade' plants with lush green foliage.
Most Popular

Corokia Emerald And Jade

Corokia 'Emerald and Jade' is a hardy, NZ native shrub grown for its lovely foliage and interesting form. It grows as a mass of wiry, tangled...

From$22.88
Camellia Early Pearly white flower with a pink blush.
Most Popular

Camellia 'Early Pearly'

Camellia Early Pearly is a very popular, evergreen shrub that flowers from late autumn through winter. It produces showy, mildly fragrant...

From$33.68
A Tui in a Metrosideros carminea shrub feeding on the red flowers.
Most Popular

Metrosideros carminea

Metrosideros carminea, commonly known as Climbing Rata or Crimson Rata Vine, is a striking New Zealand native valued for its vivid red flowers and...

From$25.58
Protea cynaroides (King Protea)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Protea or Evergreen Shrubs.

Search Protea cynaroides (King Protea)

Why Choose the King Protea Flower?

If you’re seeking a plant that combines visual impact with resilience, the king protea is an excellent choice. This iconic shrub is renowned for its large blooms that can reach up to 30cm across. Not only do they add structure and vibrancy to your garden, but they also attract pollinators like bees and birds. The king protea flower makes an impressive focal point, whether you feature it in garden beds, large containers, or mixed shrub borders.

King protea plants are also highly valued by floral designers. Their stunning blooms are used fresh or dried in arrangements, providing texture and lasting beauty. Gardeners and florists both appreciate how the king protea flower stands out from more traditional options—it’s as robust as it is beautiful.

Growing and Caring for Protea cynaroides

King protea thrives in sunny, well-draining spots and will do best in sandy or acidic soil. It's important not to overwater your plant, as Protea cynaroides dislike wet feet. Once established, they are drought-tolerant and require minimal fertilising, making them a rewarding choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Protect young plants from heavy frost, especially in their first few years. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage new blooms next season.

For gardeners interested in expanding their protea collection, consider complementing your king protea with other stunning varieties like Protea Fiery Sunset, Protea Franciscan, or the compact Protea Little Prince. These selections can provide a diverse range of colours and forms for year-round interest.

Landscaping with King Protea Flower

The bold silhouette and silvery-green foliage of the king protea make it ideal for statement planting. Try positioning it as a standalone feature, or group it with other tough, drought-hardy South African natives. For textural contrast in your garden, pair your king protea flower with companions like Protea Susanne, Protea Red Ice, or something completely different such as Hydrangea Merveille Sanguine. If you're aiming for a lush, layered look, consider mingling king proteas with evergreens like Skimmia japonica Rubella or colourful flowerers including Azalea Gay Paree, Potentilla Raspberry Delight, and Rhododendron Opal Dawn.

Whether you’re growing the king protea flower for its world-famous blooms or as a conversation-starting shrub in your landscape, Protea cynaroides offers showstopping beauty with relatively simple care. Bring a touch of the exotic to your New Zealand garden with this bold, beautiful icon.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews