Morus spp.

How to Grow Mulberry

Hard to find, but easy to grow and an absolute delight to eat, mulberries deserve a spot in your garden. They’re available in white, red or black berries and perfect eaten fresh, stewed or cooked into a pie – mmm, yum! Mulberries can grow into large trees, up to 10m, which make them great shade trees, but if you don’t have the space, look for dwarf varieties, which can grow up to 5m. Be aware though – the fruit can stain, so grow away from paths and cars.

Full Sun

Well-Drained

Mid to Late Summer

Water Until Established

How to Grow Mulberries in a Garden

Step 1

Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. If the soil is alkaline, add Yates Soil Acidifer Liquid Sulfur to help lower the pH.

Step 2

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball.

Step 3

If planting in winter, soak bare-rooted plants in a bucket of water for 30 minutes prior to planting. Remove from bucket, position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. If planting a potted plant, remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots, then position in hole and backfill.

Step 4

Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots.

Step 5

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.

Step 6

Water deeply, once every 2-3 days, depending on weather conditions. Once established, water deeply once two weeks.

Step 7

Feed with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser every 6-8weeks. When flowering and fruiting, feed fortnightly with Yates Thrive Citrus Liquid Plant Food.

How to Grow Mulberries in a Pot

If growing in a pot, look for smaller growing varieties such as Dwarf Mulberry Black or Red Shahtoot.

Step 1

Choose a pot at least 600mm wide. Position in full sun and partially fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Step 2

Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 3

Position in pot and backfill, gently firming down. Water in well.

Step 4

Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane or pea straw ensuring to keep it away from the trunk.

Step 5

Water deeply, once every 2-3 days, depending on weather conditions. Once established, water deeply once two weeks.

Step 6

Feed with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser every 6-8weeks. When flowering and fruiting, feed fortnightly with Yates Thrive Citrus Liquid Plant Food

Mulberry Growing Tips

What is the Best Fertiliser for Mulberries?

Feed with Yates Thrive Natural Citrus & Fruit Organic Based Plant Food.

Yates 7kg Thrive Natural Citrus & Fruit Organic Based Pelletised Plant Food

Available in-store only

Can You Grow a Mulberry from a Cutting?

Can strike them from cuttings, take in early spring about 90 cm long, place them in cool shaded spot in a pot. They will be ready for transplant after a year’s time, or purchase a healthy plant from a reputed nursery.

Can You Grow Mulberry from Seed?

Though they can be grown from seeds it may take up to 10 years before they bear fruit.

How Big Do Mulberry Trees Grow?

Mulberries are large trees that can grow up to 12 metres in height and spread about 18 metres.

Do Mulberries Ripen Off the Tree?

Do not pick Mulberries before they are ripe as they don not ripen off the tree. Only pick fruits when they are ripe.

Do Mulberries Need Pruning?

You can hard prune an established Mulberry in winter and lightly prune after fruiting period.

What Leaves Do Silkworms Eat?

You guessed it! Mulberry leaves - making them a must-have tree if you wish to keep silkworms.

Where Can Mulberries be Grown in Australia?

Mulberries can be grown Australia-wide, so long as the soil is deep and very well-drained.

Mulberry Varieties

Morus macroura ‘Shatoot’
Morus alba ‘Pendula’
Morus nigra ‘Hicks Fancy’
Morus nigra ‘Black English’
Morus rubra ‘Everbearing Downings’

Common Problems of Mulberries

Why Are My Mulberry Leaves Turning Yellow?

Mulberries are deciduous and their leaves naturally turn yellow in autumn and then fall off.

If it is not autumn or winter and the leaves are yellowing, check the soil pH, make sure there is goo drainage, and check for pests and diseases.

Why Are There Grubs in My Mulberry Fruits?

Mulberries sometimes get attacked by Fruit Fly. The female lays her egg inside the fruit, the eggs hatch into maggots and then feed inside the fruit.

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies on Mulberries

To help lure and kill the adult Fruit Flies before they get a chance to lay their eggs, spray the trunk or lateral branches, or a nearby surface with Yates Nature's Way Fruit Fly Control.