This is a popular local market cut flower in South Africa, where it is known by the common name of the Bot River protea.

Its natural habitat is a narrow region of the south western Cape Province, and it occurs at altitudes less than 100m above sea level, in poor, sandy, generally highly leached acidic soils.

Fresh seed germinates readily, and cuttings taken from semi-hardwood in late spring or autumn are usually successful.

Visitors to South Africa can see the plant in cultivation by driving the beautiful coastal road from Gordon's Bay to Hermanus.

Protea compacta usually forms erect slender bushes, tending to sprawl on richer soils.