Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla Plant Care
Ptilotus spathulatus Poir.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ptilotus spathulatus (R.Br.) Poir. (pussy tails) is a species of perennial herbs in the genus Ptilotus, native to Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla?
Water Spoon-leaf 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 Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla Native To?
What Is the Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla?
Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla (Ptilotus spathulatus) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Ptilotus genus. Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla is native to Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.
Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla displays a low mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Spoon-leaf 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 Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla?
Ptilotus spathulatus 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 Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla Need?
Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla Prefer?
Ptilotus spathulatus grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla?
Feed Spoon-leaf 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 Spoon-leaf 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 Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla?
Spoon-leaf 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 Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Spoon-leaf 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 Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla?
Spoon-leaf 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 Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla Need?
Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla is native to Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. In cooler regions, grow Spoon-leaf Mulla Mulla as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Spoon-leaf 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.
Spoon-leaf 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 spathulatus Poir., family Amaranthaceae (first published in Monthly Not. Pap. & Proc. Roy. Soc. Tasmania 1874: 77 (1875)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Spoon-leaf 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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