Spatalla parilis Plant Care

Spatalla parilis Knight

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Spatalla parilis, the spike spoon, is a flowering shrub belonging to the genus Spatalla. It forms part of the fynbos.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Spatalla parilis?

Plant Spatalla parilis in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Spatalla parilis Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Spatalla parilis?

Spatalla parilis (Spatalla parilis) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Spatalla genus. Spatalla parilis is native to the Western Cape of South Africa.

Spatalla parilis displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Spatalla parilis produces showy clusters of colorful, tubular flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Spatalla parilis?

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

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Spatalla parilis Need?

Spatalla parilis thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Spatalla parilis Prefer?

Spatalla parilis tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Spatalla parilis prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spatalla parilis?

Well-draining acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Spatalla parilis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Spatalla parilis?

Feed Spatalla parilis every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Spatalla parilis?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss and pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Spatalla parilis is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Spatalla parilis?

Spatalla parilis can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Spatalla parilis?

Prune Spatalla parilis 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 shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Spatalla parilis in Winter?

Spatalla parilis 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.

How Do You Propagate a Spatalla parilis?

Spatalla parilis can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spatalla argentea plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Spatalla parilis Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Spatalla parilis, 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 Spatalla parilis?

Spatalla parilis is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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 Spatalla parilis Need?

Spatalla parilis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Spatalla parilis is native to the Western Cape of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Spatalla parilis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Spatalla parilis 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 Spatalla genus — compare its care with other Spatalla species on PlantoScan.

Spatalla is part of the Proteaceae plant family — browse all Proteaceae genera and species.

Spatalla parilis thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Spatalla Species

Other Spatalla species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Spatalla parilis Knight, family Proteaceae (first published in Cult. Prot. : 75 (1809)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Spatalla parilis, 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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