Soft Queensland Blue Gum Plant Care

Soft Queensland Blue Gum (Pullea mollis) belongs to the Cunoniaceae family within the Pullea genus. Soft Queensland Blue Gum is native to eastern New Guinea. Soft Queensland Blue Gum is also known as Queensland Blue Gum.

Soft Queensland Blue Gum displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Soft Queensland Blue Gum produces small clusters of white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Soft Queensland Blue Gum every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Soft Queensland Blue Gum thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Pullea mollis tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Soft Queensland Blue Gum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Soft Queensland Blue Gum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Soft Queensland Blue Gum every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining, slightly acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Soft Queensland Blue Gum is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Soft Queensland Blue Gum can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Soft Queensland Blue Gum while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Soft Queensland Blue Gum is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Soft Queensland Blue Gum can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blunt-leaved queensland blue gum plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Soft Queensland Blue Gum is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. 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.

Soft Queensland Blue Gum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Soft Queensland Blue Gum is native to eastern New Guinea. In cooler regions, grow Soft Queensland Blue Gum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.