Crown flower
Calotropis procera · Apocynaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around crown flower and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (pale white-pink flowers)
- Adult size
- 2 to 4 m in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Not frost-hardy, tropical to subtropical climate (min. 10–15 °C)
- Origin
- Africa, Middle East, India
- Soil type
- Well-draining, tolerant of poor and sandy soils
Care
Light exposure
Place your calotrope in full sun, with a minimum of 6 to 8 hours daily. It tolerates extreme heat and adapts well to dry, sunny conditions. Light shade is acceptable in very hot regions.
Watering
Water moderately and allow the soil to dry between waterings. In winter or dry periods, reduce watering significantly. This plant is very drought-resistant and fears excess moisture, which causes root rot.
Soil and drainage
Well-draining soil is essential. Use a light mixture combining garden soil, sand and possibly poor organic matter. The plant tolerates poor and rocky soils, typical of its native habitat.
Pruning and structure
Prune lightly after flowering or in early spring to maintain a compact shape and remove dead branches. Calotrope branches naturally and doesn't require severe pruning. Wear gloves: all parts are toxic and produce irritating sap.
Fertilizing
A moderate, balanced fertilizer application one to two times in spring-summer is sufficient. This robust plant thrives on poor soils and needs very little. Avoid excess feeding, which would promote foliage at the expense of flowering.
Health and pests
Calotrope is very robust. With stagnant moisture, watch for root rot. Mealybugs and whiteflies may occasionally affect it in potted cultivation. Good air circulation and optimal drainage prevent most problems.
Did you know?
Calotropis procera is a historically important plant: its fibers were used to produce kapok (plant fiber padding) and its seeds contain an oil traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Arabic pharmacopeias. In North Africa and the Middle East, it's nicknamed the "desert silk tree" because its winged seeds disperse dramatically on the wind.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Lesser periwinkleVinca minor
- Greater periwinkleVinca major
- OleanderNerium oleander
- Asiatic jasmineTrachelospermum asiaticum
- Star jasmineTrachelospermum jasminoides
- AmatunguluCarissa macrocarpa
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.