Pink Mulla Mulla

Seed

Seeds are often enclosed within the fluffy flower remnants. An iconic, drought-tolerant desert plant that produces striking, feathery purple-pink flower spikes. Highly susceptible to root rot, making excellent drainage critical.

Sowing depth

Surface sow or barely cover (1mm).

Mix

Highly free-draining, sandy or gravelly native mix.

Timing

Spring or autumn.

Germination

Warm temperatures and full sun.

Moisture

Keep lightly moist until emergence, then reduce watering drastically.

Timeline

14–35 days.

Planting Instructions

1. Rub the fluffy plume away between your fingers to expose the seed — 1–1.5mm, dark red to black.
2. Fill a tray or pot with a highly free-draining sandy or gravelly native mix.
3. Surface sow, or barely cover with 1mm of mix, and put it in a warm position in full sun.
4. Keep lightly moist until seedlings emerge in 14–35 days, then reduce watering drastically.
5. Sow spring to early summer. In subtropical and tropical Australia sow in autumn or winter instead — humidity kills this plant faster than cold does.
6. Thin or plant out 30–40cm apart in a hot, open position with excellent drainage.

Care Tips

• Water sparingly once established — root rot is the usual cause of failure.
• Thrives in sandy or gravelly ground; never plant into heavy or wet soil.
• No fertiliser needed — it prefers low-nutrient soils.
• Cut the spikes for fresh or dried arrangements; they hold their colour well.
• In humid, summer-rainfall districts grow it in a pot where drainage can be controlled.
• Self-seeds in ideal conditions for natural spreading.