
Jacobaea maritima
flowerDusty 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
Soil Type
Light, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 11
When to Fertilize
Light feeding in spring; little needed
Fertilizer
Balanced; avoid excess feeding
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.
Start seeds indoors
Jan 21
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
Projected first bloom
Jul 18
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
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.
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.
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.