Ptilotus (Ptilotus exaltatus)


Ptilotus Plant Features

Grow Ptilotus in your yard if you need a fun plant that likes hot, dry weather and adds a soft, cottage-garden look to your yard. An Australian native plant, Ptilotus looks unique because of its 4-inch-tall soft pink plumes of flowers that rise gracefully over its thick, leathery, silvery-green foliage. 

An upright-growing plant, Ptilotus thrives in sun-baked gardens and landscapes with well-drained soil. Use it in the middle or the back of the border where it can contrast with mounding or trailing annual flowers. Or add it to container gardens where its exotic look will stand out against other flowers. 

Ptilotus typically grows about 18 inches tall and wide. 

Ptilotus Growing Instructions

Light: Grow Ptilotus in full sun -- at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun for best results.

Watering: Drought-tolerant Ptilotus rarely needs watering except in the worst of drought conditions. Once planted, you can practically ignore it.

Soil: Ptilotus thrives in well-drained soil and even grows well in sandy conditions. If you want to grow this plant and have heavy clay soil, enjoy it in raised beds or amend the soil liberally with organic matter to improve drainage.

Pruning: Prune Ptilotus by removing faded flowers to keep the plant looking its best and to encourage more plumes of new flowers to develop faster. Deadheading isn't required, but will make your plant more attractive. 

Fertilizing; If you grow Ptilotus in average or good soil, you shouldn't need to fertilize, though you can do so if you'd like to encourage more/faster growth. Use any general-purpose fertilizer and follow the instructions on the product packaging.

Note: Ptilotus is not intended for animal or human consumption. 
  • Water

    Low water needs

  • Light

    Outside: Sun

  • Colors

    Pink

  • Special Features

    Super-easy to grow


Complement your Ptilotus

Angelonia
Angelonia's spikes of flowers are lovely accents to the pink Ptilotus plant plumes.

Scaevola
Underplant Ptilotus with easy-care, no-fuss scaevola.