Silver Mulla Mulla Plant Care
Ptilotus obovatus F.Muell.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ptilotus obovatus, commonly known as smoke bush, silver bush, silver tails or cotton bush, is a spreading or rounded, much-branched perennial shrub or subshrub of the family Amaranthaceae and is found in arid areas of all mainland states and the Northern Territory of Australia. Its stems and leaves are densely hairy, the leaves sessile and egg-shaped or elliptic, and the flowers arranged in short spikes with a hairy, pink or purplish perianth.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Silver Mulla Mulla?
Water Silver Mulla Mulla every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Silver Mulla Mulla Native To?
What Is the Silver Mulla Mulla?
Silver Mulla Mulla (Ptilotus obovatus) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Ptilotus genus. Silver Mulla Mulla is native to arid areas of all mainland states and the Northern Territory of Australia. Silver Mulla Mulla is also known as Obovate Ptilotus.
Silver Mulla Mulla displays a low mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Silver Mulla Mulla produces unique fuzzy flower spikes in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Silver Mulla Mulla?
Ptilotus obovatus requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Silver Mulla Mulla Need?
Silver Mulla Mulla thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Silver Mulla Mulla Prefer?
Ptilotus obovatus grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Silver Mulla Mulla prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Silver Mulla Mulla?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Silver Mulla Mulla to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Silver Mulla Mulla?
Feed Silver Mulla Mulla every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Silver Mulla Mulla?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Silver Mulla Mulla?
Silver Mulla Mulla can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to velvet mulla mulla plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Silver Mulla Mulla Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Silver Mulla Mulla, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Silver Mulla Mulla?
Silver Mulla Mulla is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Silver Mulla Mulla Need?
Silver Mulla Mulla grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Silver Mulla Mulla is native to arid areas of all mainland states and the Northern Territory of Australia. In cooler regions, grow Silver Mulla Mulla as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Silver Mulla Mulla is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Ptilotus genus — compare its care with other Ptilotus species on PlantoScan.
Ptilotus is part of the Amaranthaceae plant family — browse all Amaranthaceae genera and species.
Silver Mulla Mulla thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Ptilotus Species
Other Ptilotus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ptilotus obovatus F.Muell., family Amaranthaceae (first published in Fragm. 6: 228 (1868)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Silver Mulla Mulla, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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