White Ice Protea

White Ice Protea (Protea hybrid 'White Ice', a cross of Protea neriifolia and Protea susannae) is a hardy, resilient protea growing to 2m high and 1.5m wide. In the cooler months it carries velvety, creamy white flowerheads flushed peach on the outside, over long leathery leaves that open red. It is more adaptable than most proteas, and a source of cut flowers from your own garden.

Why you'll love it

• Creamy white flowerheads. Oval, velvety heads flushed peach on the outside appear in autumn and winter, when little else is in flower.
• Red new growth. Long, oval, leathery leaves open red, so the foliage is attractive between flowerings.
• Easier than most proteas. It is hardy and more adaptable than other protea varieties, and tolerates light frost and dry spells once established.
• Low water use. It is drought tolerant once established and suits low water gardens.
• Cut flowers at home. The flowerheads last well as cut stems, bringing a florist flower into the house.

Where it works best

Feature shrub. Plant it as a single specimen where the white flowerheads can be seen from the house, with about 1.5m of space on each side.

Native and low water borders. It sits well with grevilleas, banksias and other plants that like full sun and lean, well drained soil, and its nectar draws honeyeaters.

Large pots. A pot of 50cm or more filled with an acidic, low phosphorus mix suits it on a sunny patio.

Growing White Ice Protea in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun. It tolerates a light frost, so it suits Mediterranean, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens. Humid, hot summers are harder on proteas, so in subtropical gardens choose the most open, best drained spot you have.

Soil. Well drained, acidic soil with a low pH. Lean, low nutrient ground suits it, so avoid lime and compost rich mixes, and mound the planting site on heavy clay.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly for the first 6 to 12 weeks, or until established. After that it is drought tolerant and should only need extra water in dry spells. Feed with a slow release fertiliser low in phosphorus.

Pruning. Cut flowering stems for the vase, always cutting back to a leafy node, because proteas shoot poorly from bare old wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell White Ice Protea as tube stock: a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once potted on or planted out, and it builds into a woody shrub over several seasons. Plants travel upright. Plant them soon after they arrive in sun and well drained, acidic soil, then mulch and water them in.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it is back.

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

• Leucadendrons, a close protea relative
• Drought tolerant plants for low water gardens
• Banksia care guide for another Proteaceae favourite
• Plants for full sun

Common questions

Why do proteas die suddenly?

Almost always wet roots or too much phosphorus. Plant in sharply drained, low pH soil, mulch, and use a low phosphorus slow release fertiliser.

Can I grow it in heavy clay?

Not directly. Mound the soil well above the clay, or grow it in a large pot with an acidic, free draining mix.

When do I pick the flowers?

In autumn and winter, when the heads open. Cut just above a leafy node, so the plant keeps its shape.