Who can Grow Proteas?
One protea grower told us, “If you can grow a avocado, you can grow a protea.” Most members of this plant group do best where temperatures are moderate; they may tolerate extreme 100° f to 105° f for a day or two, but developing flower buds or new growth may be burned; give them a drink during these times. Below 25° f, most proteas will suffer damage ranging from leaf burn to death. Give proteas a spot on a southwest- or southeast-facing slope with good drain age, except in hottest inland areas, where a north-facing slope would be cooler. Cooler locations will give more intense colors. Plants should get full sun for at least six hours a day. They do best in an open location where air moves freely to moderate the temperatures. Successful protea growers cite well-drained soil as the key to winning with these feisty plants. Proteas grow lateral roots near the surface, and water must not stand around those roots. Decomposed granite and other sandy-textured soils are ideal. Most kinds of pr
