Dusty Miller

Jacobaea maritima

flower

Dusty miller is a tender perennial grown as an annual for its striking foliage, which is densely covered in white to gray hairs that give it a silvery, felted look. Plants reach 1.5 to 3 ft tall with deeply lobed, lacy leaves that cool down and unify hot color schemes in beds and containers. It bears small yellow daisy-like flowers, but most gardeners remove them to keep the focus on the foliage. It is highly drought tolerant, deer resistant, and trouble-free.

☀️

Sun

full sun

💧

Water

Every 8 days

🌸

Bloom

~80 days

📊

Difficulty

easy

🌱

Lifecycle

tender perennial

Perennial in warm zones; grown as an annual where winters freeze

↔️

Spacing

8-12 in apart

⬇️

Planting Depth

Set transplants at the same depth as the cell pack

🧪

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Growing Details

Soil Type

Light, well-drained

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3 – 11

When to Fertilize

Light feeding in spring; little needed

Fertilizer

Balanced; avoid excess feeding

🌱 Growing Guide

Plant dusty miller in full sun for the best silver color, though it tolerates partial shade, in light, well-drained soil. Once established it is highly drought tolerant and needs little water, and it dislikes soggy ground. Start seed indoors 10 to 15 weeks before the last frost, as it is slow from seed, or buy transplants. Pinch out the flower stalks as they appear to keep plants compact and leafy. In mild zones it may overwinter; elsewhere take stem cuttings under cover or simply replant each spring.

🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.

Planting Calendar

🌱

Start seeds indoors

Jan 21

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Transplant outdoors

Apr 29

🌸

Projected first bloom

Jul 18

JJan

FFeb

MMar

AApr

MMay

JJun

JJul

AAug

SSep

OOct

NNov

DDec

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

Ageratum — Blue flowers that pop against the silver foliage in classic bedding combos
Salvia — Upright flower spikes set off by the silver leaves; shares sun and drainage
Petunia — Bright container flowers cooled and unified by dusty miller foliage

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

Rust
Orange pustules on leaves in wet conditions; water at the base and remove affected foliage
Root rot
Caused by wet, poorly drained soil; plant in light, well-drained ground and water sparingly
Aphids
Occasional on new growth; rinse off and conserve natural enemies

🌸 Blooms & cutting

Dusty miller is grown for foliage, so the main task is removing the flower stalks as they form to keep the plant compact and the leaves vigorous. The silvery sprays are also excellent in fresh and dried arrangements, so cut stems freely, which doubles as shaping the plant.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

Dusty miller is an ornamental foliage plant, not edible. Its value is silvery, drought-tolerant, deer-resistant foliage that ties color schemes together in beds and containers and lasts well as a cut and dried filler. Have a different variety? Cultivars of the same species share the same basic care, so this guide still applies even if your exact form is not shown.

⚠️ Toxicity & safety

Dusty miller contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is considered toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if eaten. It is grown purely for its silver foliage, not for consumption; keep pets from grazing on it.

For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.