Little Prince Protea

Little Prince Protea (Protea cynaroides 'Little Prince') is a compact, free flowering dwarf king protea that stays near 1m high and wide. It carries the same bowl shaped heads as the full size king, in red pink bracts, but on a shrub that fits a small bed, a courtyard or a large pot. It needs sun, acidic soil and sharp drainage.

Why you'll love it

• King protea flowers on a smaller plant. You get the bowl shaped heads and tough leathery foliage without the 1.5m spread of the species.
• Free flowering. The dwarf habit is bred for abundant blooms, and mature plants carry many heads from late winter into spring.
• Suits pots and small gardens. At about 1m it fits a courtyard bed or a 40cm pot without crowding.
• Nectar for birds. The flowers attract honeyeaters and other nectar feeding birds.
• Long lasting cut flower. The red pink heads hold well in a vase and also dry nicely.

Where it works best

Small gardens and courtyards. Plant it as a single feature in a sunny bed, or group two or three about 1m apart for a low protea display.

Pots and containers. A 40cm to 50cm pot of acidic, free draining mix works well on a sunny balcony or terrace and lets you control soil conditions.

Low borders. Use it in front of taller leucadendrons or banksias where the red pink flowers will sit at eye level.

Growing Little Prince Protea in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun with good airflow is essential. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens and tolerates only light frost. In humid subtropical and tropical areas proteas can be short lived, so a pot or raised bed helps.

Soil. Acidic, sandy and very free draining. Avoid lime, manure and rich compost, and mound or raise the bed on clay.

Water and feed. Water deeply weekly through the first summer, then sparingly. Use only a low phosphorus native fertiliser, and use it lightly, because proteas are sensitive to phosphorus.

Pruning. Tip prune or cut flowers straight after flowering, keeping some leaves on every stem. Leafless wood rarely reshoots.

What to expect when it arrives

This line is currently on backorder: we take the order, source the plant from our growers and confirm timing with you before anything ships.

Sizes are 140mm pots in packs of 10 and 200mm pots in packs of 6. These are young potted plants that need a season or two to settle before they flower strongly. They travel upright and should be planted into a sunny, well drained position soon after arrival. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More plants that thrive in pots
• Leucadendrons to plant beside it
• How to repot into a larger container
• More plants for small gardens

Common questions

How big does Little Prince get?

About 1m high and wide, which is well under the full size king protea.

Can it live in a pot permanently?

Yes, in a large pot of acidic free draining mix in full sun. Repot every few years and keep phosphorus fertiliser away.

Does it tolerate frost?

Only light frost. In colder gardens plant it against a warm sunny wall or keep it in a pot that can be moved.