Protea obtusifolia is a vigorous, robust species forming a rounded shrub. It can be long-lived, still looking good after 20 years. Unlike most proteas it thrives in clay and alkaline soils and does well in gardens on the Cape Flats where the soil is more alkaline. It is equally at home in acidic `fynbos' soils. It is also tolerant of coastal conditions and withstands salt-laden winds.

It is drought tolerant and requires little supplementary watering when established; allow it at least two summers with regular watering to become established. It requires protection from frost, but should survive outdoors in zone 10 (-1º to 4 ºC/30-40 ºF) but is best in a frost-free garden. Prune when young to encourage dense, bushy growth.

Grow Protea obtusifolia in the strandveld or Cape Flats garden, coastal or seaside garden, the water-wise garden or the fynbos garden. It is a relatively long-lived, large bushy evergreen shrub and does well as a screening or informal hedge plant. It produces beautiful, long-lasting cut flowers during the winter months.

Plant Protea obtusifolia in well-drained alkaline or acidic soil in a sunny position with good air circulation. Like other proteas, it is a light feeder with a sensitive root system that is adapted to very nutrient-poor soils. It will not tolerate strong fertilizers and manures, but should be fed with well-rotted compost and if using chemical fertilizers, choose a slow-release one or apply very low doses.

Proteas don't like phosphates (P), so choose a fertilizer that has little or no P in its formula. Keep root disturbance to a minimum; protea roots are very susceptible to infection so try not to break them by digging around their base inside their drip-line, rather put down a thick layer of mulch once or twice a year and leave them undisturbed.

Protea obtusifolia is easily raised from seed, sown in autumn, in well-drained soil, lightly covered with clean sand or fine-milled bark and kept moist but not wet. Germination occurs after about 30 days. Treating the seed with a fungicide increases the number of surviving seedlings. Transplant into individual containers as soon as the first pair of true leaves has developed. Seedlings are slow-growing, and the first flowers can be expected in the third year.

It can also be propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings taken from the current season's growth, in autumn or spring. Remove the leaves from the basal third of the cutting, treat with a rooting hormone, and place in well-drained rooting medium under intermittent mist with a bottom heat of 25 ºC.