Protea Cardinal (Protea eximia × Protea susannae) is a vigorous South African hybrid cultivated under meticulous standards in the Western Cape. Its large, cup-shaped flower heads feature deep red inner bracts fading to soft pink at the base, framed by a contrasting dark centre. This variety brings intense colour, sculptural form, and reliable quality to large-scale retail offerings during the cooler months.

Quality & Handling

• Cut at peak maturity when inner bracts begin to unfurl, then immediately cooled to 4 °C to preserve peak freshness.
• Maintained under a continuous cold-chain, with rigorous grading for head size, stem length, straightness, and leaf quality—ensuring consistent supply across bulk consignments.
• Expected vase life of 14–21 days when conditioned properly: re-cut stems underwater at a sharp angle on arrival, hydrate promptly in clean water, and refresh every 2–3 days. Use floral preservative during refreshes to optimise performance.
• Ethylene Sensitivity: Low, making it ideal for long-distance export and extended display.