The Crown of Thorns is a fascinating plant, perfectly adapted to the rhythms of its native Madagascar. In the wild, it only knows two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. Thanks to its unique, slightly “bizarre” growth habit and those charming little blooms, it’s become a real favorite for indoor gardeners. However, if you aren’t careful with its routine, you might find yourself waiting forever for those flowers to show up!
All About the Blooms
The Crown of Thorns comes in a gorgeous palette ranging from deep reds and vibrant pinks to sunny yellows and crisp whites. Fun fact: those colorful “petals” aren’t actually flowers! They are modified leaves called bracts that surround the tiny, inconspicuous yellow flower in the center.
Since this plant hails from the tropics, it doesn’t deal with extreme temperature swings. Unlike some plants that need a cold snap to bloom, the Crown of Thorns relies on a “dry rest” period. This mimics the cool, dry season back in Madagascar. During this time, the plant expects less water and shorter days. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the winter months are the perfect time to start this rest phase.
The “Dry Rest” Period
To get your plant ready to bloom, move it to a slightly cooler spot—room temperatures can drop down to about 60°F (15°C). You’ll want to cut back on watering significantly, giving it just enough so the root ball doesn’t completely dry out. During these “short days,” the plant only needs about ten hours of light. If your room stays bright for too long, you can actually simulate a shorter day by covering the plant with a cardboard box after its ten hours are up.
Technically, you can start this dry rest whenever you like to time the blooming, but I wouldn’t recommend doing it in the middle of summer. Fall or winter is much easier because the days are naturally shorter, meaning you won’t have to play around with boxes to block out the sun. Here is your checklist for success:
- Reduce watering
- Keep it in a cooler room
- Skip the fertilizer
- Limit light to ten hours a day
Finding the Perfect Spot
Once the dry rest is over, it’s time to move your Crown of Thorns back to its regular home. This mimics the start of the hot, rainy season. Whether indoors or out, this plant loves a bright, sunny spot with temperatures consistently above 65°F (18°C). This is also when you should get back to watering regularly and starting your fertilizer routine again.
If your Crown of Thorns is being stubborn and won’t bloom, it’s usually because it didn’t get a proper “rest.” If that happens, don’t sweat it! Just care for it normally until next fall, then try the dry rest again with cooler temps, less water, and shorter days. Your patience will definitely pay off with a beautiful floral display!
